Washington D.C. – Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a landmark peace agreement at the White House on Friday, August 8, 2025, brokered by United States President Donald Trump. The accord aims to conclude nearly four decades of conflict between the two nations, opening new avenues for diplomatic relations and economic cooperation in the South Caucasus region.
A central feature of the agreement is the establishment of a strategic transit corridor through Armenian territory, linking Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave. This vital route, officially named the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP), grants the United States exclusive development rights for 99 years, signaling increased American engagement in the region's infrastructure. The White House stated this initiative would unlock significant economic potential.
The signing follows Azerbaijan's full reclamation of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, which led to the displacement of nearly all ethnic Armenians from the territory. While the agreement emphasizes mutual respect for territorial integrity, some Armenian-American advocacy groups have voiced concerns that it does not adequately address the rights of displaced persons or the status of prisoners of war.
Both Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Aliyev lauded President Trump's role in facilitating the breakthrough. "President Trump in six months did a miracle," Aliyev stated, with both leaders suggesting Trump deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. This U.S.-brokered deal significantly shifts the geopolitical landscape, traditionally dominated by Russia as the primary mediator in the conflict.
In addition to the peace framework, Armenia and Azerbaijan also signed bilateral economic agreements with the United States, focusing on cooperation in energy, technology, and trade. The accord is seen as a major diplomatic victory for the Trump administration, reinforcing its stated goal of global peacemaking and potentially reshaping regional alliances.