Armenia and Azerbaijan have signed a peace agreement at the White House, ending decades of bitter conflict.
The deal was brokered by US President Donald Trump, who hosted Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the signing ceremony.
The two leaders praised Trump’s role, with both saying he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his mediation.
Trump called the agreement a commitment to “stop all fighting forever” and to “open commerce, travel, and diplomatic relations” while respecting each nation’s sovereignty.
Decades of Conflict
Armenia, a Christian-majority nation, and Azerbaijan, a Muslim-majority country, have fought for years over borders and ethnic enclaves.
The main flashpoint was the Karabakh region, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but controlled by ethnic Armenian forces for nearly three decades after the Soviet Union’s collapse.
The countries fought two major wars over Karabakh, most recently in 2023 when Azerbaijan launched a rapid offensive, forcing over 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee.
What the Deal Includes
The peace agreement, described by Aliyev as a “historic signature,” pledges to normalize relations fully. This includes trade, open borders, and diplomatic recognition.
A key part of the deal is the creation of a transit corridor through Armenia to connect Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan.
The United States will have development rights for this route, which has been named the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP).
Turkey, a strong ally of Azerbaijan, welcomed the deal, calling it an important step toward lasting peace in the Caucasus.
Praise and Controversy
Pashinyan said the agreement marks a breakthrough that would not have been possible without Trump’s involvement.
Aliyev went further, suggesting both leaders will jointly recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
However, details about the deal’s legal enforcement remain unclear. Observers have noted that past peace attempts between the two nations have failed due to deep mistrust and unresolved political demands.
Azerbaijan had recently insisted that Armenia change its constitution to drop claims over Karabakh, an issue that remains sensitive.
Pashinyan has announced plans for a constitutional referendum in 2027, though it remains controversial within Armenia.
Strategic Gains
US officials say the agreement strengthens America’s role as a strategic partner in the region while limiting the influence of Russia, China, and Iran.
While Trump celebrated the deal as a diplomatic win, critics note that other major global conflicts such as the Russia–Ukraine war and the crisis in Gaza remain unresolved.
Still, for Armenia and Azerbaijan, the signing represents hope for a future without war after more than 30 years of hostility.
