U.S. Brokers Historic Peace Agreement Between Armenia and Azerbaijan

In a landmark diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the White House today to sign a comprehensive peace agreement aimed at resolving the decades-long Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Central to the accord is the establishment of the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP), a strategic transit corridor through Armenia connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave, developed under U.S. leasing rights.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, rooted in ethnic and territorial disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, has persisted since the late 20th century. The first major war from 1988 to 1994 resulted in Armenian forces gaining control over Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent territories. A ceasefire was established in 1994, but tensions and sporadic violence persisted. In 2020, a second war led to Azerbaijan regaining significant portions of the territory, culminating in a ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia. In 2023, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive, leading to the dissolution of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh and the exodus of ethnic Armenians from the region.

The upcoming summit at the White House is set to finalize a historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. A central component of this agreement is the establishment of the TRIPP corridor, which will connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory. This corridor is intended to accommodate rail, oil and gas pipelines, and fiber optics, facilitating trade and energy transit in the South Caucasus region. The development and management of the corridor will be under U.S. leasing rights, with private corporations overseeing its construction and operation.

In addition to the transit corridor, the agreement includes bilateral economic cooperation agreements between the U.S., Armenia, and Azerbaijan. These agreements aim to enhance economic collaboration and integration in the region, potentially leading to increased stability and prosperity. The peace deal also involves the dissolution of the Minsk Group, which had been mediating peace efforts since 1992.

The peace agreement is the result of extensive diplomatic efforts led by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. In March 2025, a preliminary agreement on peace treaty language was reached, setting the stage for further negotiations. Subsequent meetings in Washington and energy deals facilitated by the U.S. played a crucial role in bringing the parties closer to a final agreement. Analysts suggest that declining Russian influence in the region has opened a path for increased U.S. involvement, with the peace deal potentially serving as a catalyst for Azerbaijan’s entry into the Abraham Accords.

The signing of this peace agreement signifies a significant shift in regional dynamics. By facilitating the establishment of the TRIPP corridor and fostering economic cooperation, the U.S. is positioning itself as a key player in the South Caucasus, potentially reducing Russian influence in the region. The agreement also holds the promise of stabilizing Armenia, unlocking economic potential, and positioning it as a strategic connector between Europe and Asia. Furthermore, the deal could lead to the reopening of borders and the restoration of relations between Armenia and Turkey, integrating the region into vital trade networks.

The signing of this peace agreement marks a pivotal moment in the history of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, offering a pathway to lasting peace and economic prosperity in the South Caucasus. The establishment of the TRIPP corridor under U.S. auspices not only facilitates regional connectivity but also underscores a significant realignment of geopolitical influences, with the United States playing a central role in shaping the future of the region.