US signs bilateral deals with Armenia and Azerbaijan
3 Min Read
Trump unveiled a peace declaration enabling an Azerbaijan and Nakichevan transit route.
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Donald Trump spekas at a campaign rally at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on August 17, 2024 in Wilkes-Barre, Pasadena. (AP)
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that a new peace declaration between Armenia and Azerbaijan will establish a special transit corridor granting Azerbaijan access to its exclave, Nakhichevan—while affirming Armenia’s sovereignty.
Trump hosted the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on Friday for what he described as a "Historic Peace Summit" aimed at ending decades of hostilities between the two former Soviet republics.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev "will join me at the White House for an official Peace Signing Ceremony," Trump posted Thursday on his Truth Social platform.
Speaking at the White House alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Trump said the route—referred to as 'the Trump route for international peace and prosperity', which is a special transit area that will allow Azerbaijan to get full access to its territory of Nakhichevan," will also form the basis for a long-term U.S.-Armenia partnership, potentially lasting up to 99 years.
Following the peace agreement, Trump announced that the U.S. will sign bilateral deals with both Armenia and Azerbaijan to strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. He emphasized that American companies are expected to invest heavily in infrastructure projects across both countries, generating economic benefits for all sides involved.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have been sworn enemies for decades, fighting two wars over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan recaptured the territory from Armenian forces in a lightning 2023 offensive, prompting the exodus of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians.
The two sides have engaged in multiple rounds of peace talks, including discussions last month in the United Arab Emirates, but a breakthrough has remained elusive.
Trump to reveal Putin meeting location
In a brief statement, Trump also mentioned that the location of his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin will be announced later in the day, hinting to reporters that the chosen venue will be well received.
"We'll talk about it [meeting with Putin] later today. We’ll give you a location today," Trump told reporters.
According to sources cited by Reuters, the UAE is one of the leading candidates to host the event, given its neutral stance and strong diplomatic ties with both Moscow and Washington.
Regarding a potential meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin said he is not opposed in principle, but noted that "certain conditions must first be prepared," adding that "the current situation is far from ready for such a meeting."
Kremlin officials have reiterated that a trilateral summit involving Zelensky is not currently on the table, given the lack of groundwork and trust.
