Trump-Brokered Agreement Aims to End Decades of Conflict and Strengthen U.S. Influence in the Region
Washington D.C. – In a landmark moment for global diplomacy, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan shook hands at the White House on Friday, sealing a peace agreement designed to end nearly four decades of conflict. The signing ceremony, hosted by former U.S. President Donald Trump, marks a significant turning point in the South Caucasus region and strengthens America’s foothold as Russia’s influence declines.
A Handshake That Made History
Standing in the State Dining Room of the White House, President Trump was flanked by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. In a symbolic gesture, the two leaders extended their hands across Trump, who clasped both in a display of unity.
The deal, reached after months of intense negotiations, will:
Reopen key transport routes between the two nations.
Create a new transit corridor called the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity.
Strengthen U.S. involvement in the region as Russia retreats from its traditional role as mediator.
The Trump Route – A Symbol of Peace and Connectivity
The Trump Route will connect Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave, bypassing the current 32-kilometre (20-mile) gap through Armenian territory.
Key benefits include:
A more direct link for Azerbaijan to Turkey and Europe.
Infrastructure plans for rail lines, oil and gas pipelines, and fibre optic connections.
Boosting regional trade and economic cooperation.
Although Trump said he was honoured by the naming of the route, he stressed, “I didn’t ask for this.” U.S. officials revealed that the idea came from the Armenian side.
Leaders Praise U.S. Role
Both Pashinyan and Aliyev credited Trump and his team for making the deal possible.
Pashinyan: “We are laying a foundation to write a better story than the one we had in the past. This is a significant milestone.”
Aliyev: “President Trump in six months did a miracle.”
Trump, highlighting the conflict’s long history, noted: “Thirty-five years they fought, and now they’re friends – and they’re going to be friends for a long time.”
Geopolitical Shift – U.S. Steps In as Russia Retreats
For decades, Moscow had positioned itself as the chief mediator in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. But its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 weakened its grip on the South Caucasus.
The Trump administration seized the opportunity, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff initiating discussions earlier this year for what officials described as a “regional reset.”
As part of the wider deal:
Armenia and Azerbaijan signed separate agreements with the U.S. to boost cooperation in energy, technology, and economic development.
At least nine developers have already expressed interest in building the Trump Route.
The Conflict – Decades of Tension Over Nagorno-Karabakh
The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict centred on the Nagorno-Karabakh region, a mountainous area internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but historically populated by ethnic Armenians.
Late Soviet Era: Tensions escalated into violence.
1990s: War left tens of thousands dead.
2023: Azerbaijan regained full control of Karabakh, changing the dynamics of peace talks.
One of the main sticking points was Azerbaijan’s demand for a land bridge to Nakhchivan. Armenia, wary of losing sovereignty, resisted third-party control. The U.S.-backed deal overcame these hurdles by offering economic and strategic incentives.
A Broader Peace Legacy
This agreement adds to other Trump-era diplomatic efforts, including:
The Democratic Republic of Congo–Rwanda peace deal.
A ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
Mediation efforts in Cambodia and Thailand.
However, peace in Gaza and Ukraine remains elusive.
Aliyev and Pashinyan have now joined a growing list of leaders suggesting Trump should be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in resolving long-running disputes.
Looking Ahead
Trump expressed his desire to visit the new corridor, saying: “We’re going to have to get over there.” Both leaders voiced optimism about lasting peace, with Trump declaring himself “very confident” in their future relationship.
The reopening of these routes could reshape trade, transport, and diplomacy in the South Caucasus, signalling a new era of cooperation between Armenia and Azerbaijan – one watched closely by both regional powers and the wider world.
Sources:
White House Press Briefing
Statements by Armenian Prime Minister’s Office
Azerbaijani Presidential Office Communications
U.S. State Department Announcements
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