Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a historic peace agreement at the White House, brokered by President Donald Trump, aimed at ending nearly four decades of conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The deal includes the creation of a major transit corridor—named the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity—that will connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory. This breakthrough resolves a long-standing territorial dispute and opens key transportation routes, with both leaders crediting Trump’s mediation for the diplomatic success.
The agreement marks a significant geopolitical shift, allowing the United States to expand its influence in the South Caucasus as Russia’s role in the region diminishes following its invasion of Ukraine. Trump’s administration has actively pursued peace initiatives globally, including ceasefires in South Asia and Africa, and has used economic leverage to mediate regional conflicts. The Armenia-Azerbaijan deal adds to this portfolio and has prompted calls from foreign leaders for Trump to be considered for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Beyond the peace accord, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed separate agreements with the U.S. to strengthen cooperation in energy, technology, and economic development. Plans for the Trump Route include rail lines, pipelines, and fiber optics, with negotiations set to begin imminently. Armenia’s willingness to compromise was influenced by the promise of closer ties with the U.S. and improved regional connectivity, while Azerbaijan, emboldened by its 2023 victory in Karabakh, secured a strategic link to Turkey and Europe