Washington: In a landmark meeting at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a series of agreements designed to establish lasting peace in the South Caucasus. This historic event occurred just a month after Aliyev and Pashinyan's discussions in Abu Dhabi, where they addressed topics such as border delimitation, the development of the Zangezur corridor, and a draft peace agreement.
According to Global Voices, a joint seven-point declaration and the draft peace agreement from Abu Dhabi were made public shortly after the meeting. However, no specific date was set for the final signing of the peace agreement. At the White House ceremony, Trump hailed the day as a historic moment when two former adversaries became friends, emphasizing the failure of other international players like the European Union and Russia to achieve similar results in the past.
The draft peace agreement, announced in March 2025, reportedly includes significant concessions from Armenia, such as removing European Union monitors from its borders and dropping lawsuits in international courts. Azerbaijan had criticized these EU monitors since their deployment in October 2022, accusing them of providing military and intelligence support to Armenia. The expansion of the EU mission in February 2023, after an Azerbaijani offensive in September 2022, further strained relations with Baku and Moscow.
Azerbaijan's demands also included Armenia amending its constitution to eliminate any perceived territorial claims, specifically those referenced in the 1990 Declaration of Independence. While Armenia's constitution does not directly mention Karabakh, it does reference the 1989 joint decision on the reunification of the Armenian SSR and the Mountainous Region of Karabakh. Prime Minister Pashinyan has expressed support for adopting a new constitution through a national referendum planned for 2027.
The Abu Dhabi talks marked a shift in regional power dynamics, with Russia appearing increasingly sidelined as a mediator. Although the Kremlin welcomed the direct dialogue, the meeting highlighted Moscow's waning influence, with the EU also largely sidelined.
A key element of the agreement is the Zangezur Corridor, now branded as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP). This vital transport link through Armenia connects Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan and holds potential for trade and transit between Europe and Asia. The corridor will remain under Armenia's sovereignty, with development and administration granted to a U.S.-selected operator for 99 years.
The U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, previously proposed that the U.S. manage the corridor through a private commercial operator, serving as a neutral guarantor. This proposal marked the first official confirmation of the U.S. role in managing the corridor.
In a significant move, Trump repealed Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, prohibiting U.S. government assistance to Azerbaijan for decades, and announced a strategic partnership between the U.S. and Azerbaijan. Aliyev hailed the meeting as a historic day, expressing hope for reconciliation and a peaceful future.
Under the agreement, the parties committed to permanently cease hostilities, open trade and travel, establish diplomatic relations, and respect each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Trump praised Aliyev and Pashinyan as special individuals with a strong personal relationship.
Regional and international reactions varied. Iran welcomed the agreement but rejected foreign-imposed changes near its borders, while Turkey and Western stakeholders praised the deal as a step toward regional stability. In Moscow, reactions were more reserved, with concern expressed over shifting power dynamics in the South Caucasus.