President Donald Trump says Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to end their decades-long conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The deal, signed August 8, 2025, at the White House, also creates a U.S.-controlled transport corridor through southern Armenia. It’s called the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, or TRIPP, and will link mainland Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave.
The Times of India calls it the most important South Caucasus breakthrough since the Soviet Union fell. The corridor will run 43 kilometers through Armenia, giving Azerbaijan a direct link that avoids Iran.
Trump White House Peace Summit
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev came to Washington for face-to-face talks with Trump and senior U.S. officials. Cadena SER reports they signed a pre-agreement covering security, trade, infrastructure, and energy.
At the signing, Trump called it “a miracle” and said TRIPP would be “a new road for peace and prosperity.” The route will be run and guarded by U.S. personnel to ensure free movement of goods, people, and fuel.
Ending a Long War
The fight over Nagorno-Karabakh began in the late 1980s. Tens of thousands died. Hundreds of thousands were displaced. In 2020, Azerbaijan regained large parts of the territory. In 2023, it drove out the remaining Armenian residents.
This is the first peace deal brokered fully by the U.S. Past talks under the OSCE Minsk Group—led by Russia, France, and the U.S.—never produced a lasting solution. This agreement removes both countries from that process, shifting the lead to Washington.
Economic and Strategic Stakes
TRIPP is more than a ceasefire measure. It’s a planned trade and energy link between the Caspian Sea region and global markets. For Azerbaijan, it provides a secure, direct route to Nakhchivan without relying on Iran. For Armenia, it’s a chance for new trade and investment, plus a way to rebuild ties with Baku after decades of hostility.
The U.S. will fund and oversee the route’s infrastructure—roads, railways, and customs points—turning it into a high-capacity corridor with influence beyond the Caucasus.
Shifting Power in the Region
Russia’s dominance in the South Caucasus has weakened as it focuses on the war in Ukraine. Iran, bordering both Armenia and Azerbaijan, may see the U.S.-run corridor as a challenge to its influence.
By choosing direct U.S. involvement, Armenia and Azerbaijan have rebalanced their foreign policies. Analysts think this model—combining security guarantees with economic incentives—could be used to settle other long-term disputes.
Unresolved Issues
The agreement doesn’t settle everything. The fate of political prisoners, border demarcation, and rights for displaced people remain unresolved. Aid groups warn that humanitarian needs risk being sidelined by the economic focus.
The Washington Post notes that in other regions, similar infrastructure deals boosted trade but left unresolved grievances for those forced from their homes.
Trump’s Win
For Trump, this is a clear political win before the elections. It reinforces his image as a global dealmaker. He called TRIPP “a model for peace” and suggested U.S. companies might help build and run it.
What Happens Next
The next step is to turn the pre-agreement into a binding treaty. Teams from Armenia and Azerbaijan will work with U.S. advisers on legal terms, logistics, and security plans. Construction is due to start in early 2026, with the route expected to open within three years.
If it works, TRIPP could shift the political and economic balance of the South Caucasus and serve as a model for resolving other “frozen” conflicts by pairing diplomacy with infrastructure and outside oversight.
For now, the moment is captured in a single image—Trump standing between Aliyev and Pashinyan, hands clasped in a handshake that seemed unlikely months ago. After nearly forty years of war, the two leaders have agreed to a path forward, one that runs straight through Armenia and carries both symbolic and strategic weight.
