Armenia and Azerbaijan, two countries in the South Caucasus, have signed a peace agreement at the White House, brokered by the United States, after decades of conflict. This deal will reopen crucial transportation routes and allow the US to gain influence in the region by exploiting Russia’s declining power. The White House announced the creation of a major transit corridor called the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity as part of the agreement.
President Donald Trump mentioned that he didn’t request the naming of the route after him but called it an “honor.” Both Armenia and Azerbaijan signed separate deals with the US to boost cooperation in energy, technology, and the economy.
Azerbazijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan marked the occasion by shaking hands, with Trump grabbing their hands as well. There has been conflict between the two countries for almost 40 years, with the former Soviet region of Nagorno-Karabakh being the focal point.
In a recent development, Azerbaijan had regained control of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, and peace talks had been ongoing to improve diplomatic ties.
Trump has been striving to be seen as a peacemaker and hopes to earn a Nobel Peace Prize. The recent breakthrough in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict adds to other peace and economic agreements the US has mediated this year. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan’s leaders credit Trump’s efforts for making the agreement possible.
The agreement paves the way for a more optimistic future, as the two countries will now work together as friends. The Trump Route will provide a vital transit connection between Azerbaijan, its autonomous exclave Nakhchivan, and Europe.
The lasting peace between these two countries also weakens Russia’s influence in the geopolitically important South Caucasus region. The US’ involvement with Armenia and Azerbaijan started earlier this year when President Trump’s key diplomatic envoy, Steve Witcoff, met with Aliyev in Baku, resulting in talks about a “regional reset.” Discussions over who will develop the Trump Route, including infrastructure for rail lines, pipelines, and fiber optic lines, are expected to begin next week.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/09/azerbaijan-and-armenia-sign-peace-deal-at-white-house-that-creates-a-trump-route-in-region
