The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan made headlines as they shook hands with President Donald Trump during a peace summit at the White House on Friday, culminating in the signing of a historic agreement aimed at resolving decades of conflict between the two nations.
This landmark agreement includes mutual accords between Armenia and Azerbaijan, along with a joint pact with the United States, stating the reopening of crucial transportation routes in the region.
A noteworthy aspect of the deal is the establishment of a major transit corridor, aptly named the ‘Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity,’ as announced by the White House.
President Trump expressed gratitude for the naming of the route, claiming it was a ‘great honor for me,’ though he clarified that he did not request such an acknowledgment.
In a pre-event briefing, a senior administration official mentioned that it was, in fact, the Armenians who proposed the name.
During the summit, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev described the proposed transit corridor as a significant opportunity for connectivity among numerous countries.
‘We are embarking on a journey towards strategic partnership,’ Aliyev stated.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized the agreement’s importance, labeling it a ‘significant milestone.’
‘We are laying a foundation to write a better story than the one we had in the past,’ Pashinyan proclaimed.
Both leaders credited President Trump and his administration for making the breakthrough possible, joining a growing number of foreign officials suggesting that Trump should be considered for a Nobel Peace Prize.
‘President Trump in six months did a miracle,’ Aliyev stated while praising the U.S. leader.
Trump referenced the lengthy duration of the conflict, noting, ‘Thirty-five years they fought and now they’re friends, and they’re going to be friends a long time.’
The newly established route aims to bridge the gap between Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan exclave, which are separated by a narrow stretch of Armenian territory measuring 32 kilometers (20 miles) wide.
Historically, this demand from Azerbaijan had stalled peace negotiations.
Trump expressed a desire to visit the corridor, affirming, ‘We’re going to have to get over there.’
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly described the roadmap as a path to a cooperative future that would yield benefits for both nations, as well as the wider South Caucasus region.
She stated that the new transit corridor would provide ‘unimpeded connectivity between the two countries while respecting Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and its people.’
When asked about the potential for lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Trump responded with optimism, saying he felt ‘very confident’ as he welcomed both leaders to the White House.
Friday’s signing adds to a series of peace and economic agreements brokered by the U.S. this year.
Trump has expressed a keen interest in being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in mitigating longstanding global conflicts.
Among other successful negotiations, the U.S. has brokered a peace deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, leading to the resolution of a prolonged conflict in eastern Congo.
Additionally, the U.S. mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and intervened in disputes between Cambodia and Thailand, employing a threat to withhold trade agreements should hostilities persist.
However, efforts to establish peace in Gaza and Ukraine have faced significant challenges.
The agreement signed in Washington not only marks a diplomatic achievement for the U.S. but also poses a geopolitical challenge to Russia, which has historically played a mediating role in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.
Moscow’s influence has waned significantly following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, creating an opening for the U.S. to assert greater presence in the South Caucasus.
U.S. officials noted that the deal brokered by Trump represents a concerted effort to capitalize on Russia’s diminished role in the region.
The Trump administration engaged in diplomatic talks with Armenia and Azerbaijan earlier this year, as Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Aliyev in Baku to discuss what was termed a ‘regional reset.’
The process of negotiating the development of the ‘Trump Route,’ which is poised to incorporate various infrastructures such as a rail line, oil and gas pipelines, and fiber optic connections, is set to commence next week.
At least nine developers have already shown interest in participating in this initiative, according to the senior administration official who spoke anonymously.
In addition to the joint agreement, Armenia and Azerbaijan also signed separate deals with the U.S. aimed at strengthening cooperation in energy, technology, and economic development, as announced by the White House.
In a social media post the evening before the signing, Trump previewed parts of the agreements, promising they would ‘fully unlock the potential’ of the South Caucasus region.
He reflected on past leaders who attempted to end the conflict without success, asserting that it was his administration that finally made significant progress.
At the culmination of the event, Trump, Pashinyan, and Aliyev convened in the State Dining Room for the signing ceremony, marking a pivotal moment.
This peace declaration is notable for being the first formal agreement signed by both nations since the Cold War’s conclusion, according to the administration.
Included in the signed documents was a letter requesting the dissolution of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Minsk Group, which has been involved in mediating the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict since the 1990s and was co-chaired by Russia, France, and the U.S.
The White House indicated that the Minsk Group is no longer deemed relevant in the current context.
The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, which has persisted for nearly four decades, primarily centers on control of the Karabakh region, also referred to as Nagorno-Karabakh in the international arena.
Predominantly inhabited by Armenians during the Soviet era, this region lies within Azerbaijan’s borders and has been the subject of violent disputes leading to tens of thousands of casualties over the years.
In 2023, Azerbaijan succeeded in reclaiming control over Karabakh, initiating discussions with Armenia to normalize bilateral relations.
A major obstacle had been Azerbaijan’s demand for a land bridge to its exclave of Nakhchivan, as they sought direct access across Armenian territory, which Armenia viewed as a breach of sovereignty.
However, the prospect of improved relations with the United States and greater freedom of movement in the landlocked nation attracted Armenia to the broader agreement.
Dissatisfied with Russia’s inaction during a recent offensive that allowed Azerbaijan to reclaim Karabakh, Armenia is increasingly turning to the West.
Conversely, emboldened by its victory, Azerbaijan has adopted a more assertive stance against Moscow.
Contributing writers Meg Kinnard and Will Weissert from the Associated Press aided in the compilation of this article.
image source from：pbs
