Leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia made history by signing a peace agreement at the White House on Friday, marking an end to long-standing hostilities and the beginning of a new era in relations between the two nations.
Azerbaijan and Armenia Forge Historic Peace Agreement at Trump-Led Summit
Azerbaijan and Armenia Forge Historic Peace Agreement at Trump-Led Summit
In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Azerbaijan and Armenia have signed a peace deal at the White House, shifting the dynamics in the Caucasus region.
Leaders from Azerbaijan and Armenia, President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, respectively, convened at the White House on Friday to sign an historic peace agreement facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump. The accord seeks to put an end to decades-long conflict rooted in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, an area predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians but internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
The summit was described by Trump as a historic moment, emphasizing the need for peace after years of violence. "It's been a long time coming," he stated, as both leaders shook hands, signaling their commitment to end all hostilities and foster diplomatic and economic ties. "We are today establishing peace in the Caucasus," Aliyev remarked, reflecting on the loss sustained during years of conflict.
Alongside the cessation of hostilities, the agreement will unlock key transport routes between the two nations and will see the United States play a leading role in regional affairs. This includes the establishment of a major transit corridor, dubbed the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, aimed at connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave that is geographically separated by Armenian territory.
The friction over control of transportation routes has historically stalled previous negotiations, but both sides have now turned their focus on cooperation. Pashinyan portrayed the signing as a monumental step forward, stating, "Thirty-five years they fought, and now they're friends," emphasizing the potential for enduring peace.
In addition to the peace deal, Trump unveiled a bilateral agreement to bolster energy and technology trade with both countries. This development signals a shift in geopolitical influence, with the U.S. emerging as a key player in the region traditionally dominated by Russian interests. For over a century, Russia, led by President Vladimir Putin, has acted as a mediator in the conflict, a role now increasingly challenged by American intervention.
This agreement represents a significant diplomatic achievement for Trump, who has been active during his second term in orchestrating peace deals among various nations. Just prior to the summit, he announced his upcoming meeting with Putin in Alaska, further illustrating the shifting alliances and power dynamics at play in the ongoing pursuit of regional stability.
