Caucasus peace deal signed

Armenia and Azerbaijan sign a landmark peace agreement at the White House under US mediation, ending decades of conflict over Nagorno Karabakh.

Caucasus peace deal seals US mediated pact

Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev signed a peace agreement at the White House in the presence of US President Donald Trump, signaling a potential end to nearly four decades of tensions over Nagorno Karabakh. A central element of the deal is a trade and transit corridor through the South Caucasus, connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave, with the United States granting exclusive development rights to the route. The countries pledged to stop fighting, establish diplomatic relations, and respect each other's territorial integrity. The exact wording has not been released, leaving questions about governance, border arrangements, and how the corridor will operate in practice. Observers note Russia's waning influence in the region, even as Moscow remains a regional actor. The plan also involves dissolving the Minsk Group mediation framework, a shift long sought by Washington and its allies.

The accord marks a shift in regional dynamics, with Washington seeking a more direct role in shaping security and energy flows in the South Caucasus. By attaching exclusive development rights to a strategic corridor, the United States signals a tangible stake in the region’s future, even as it risks entangling itself in local grievances and rivalries. The lack of a released text raises the risk that implementation could hinge on political compromises that later become flashpoints.

Beyond the symbolism, the deal tests the capacity of diplomacy to translate signed papers into steady, on-the-ground progress. Domestic politics in Armenia and Azerbaijan will test public tolerance for concessions, while neighboring powers like Russia and Turkey will watch closely to assess their own leverage. The Nobel Prize chatter surrounding Trump adds a political layer, turning high-stakes diplomacy into a public narrative that can shape domestic approval and future policy choices.

Highlights

The test now is follow-through, not applause in the White House lawn.