Peace deal signed at White House

Armenia and Azerbaijan sign a peace framework at a White House event, signaling a potential shift in regional influence as the United States positions itself against Moscow’s waning clout.

Armenia and Azerbaijan Sign Peace Deal at White House with Trump Mediation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan met at the White House and signed a comprehensive framework aimed at ending decades of conflict. The ceremony featured a handshake between Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan with former President Donald Trump present, as officials said the deal would reopen key transit routes and create a major cross-border corridor. Officials described the plan as a step toward normalization and a chance for the region to attract new investment as the United States seeks to reduce Russian influence.

The agreement calls for a transit corridor that would connect Azerbaijan to its exclave Nakhchivan and onward to Turkey and Europe, along with infrastructure projects to support rail, pipelines, and fiber networks. Nine developers have already expressed interest in the Trump Route project, according to a senior administration official. Separately, Armenia and Azerbaijan pledged to deepen cooperation in energy, technology, and trade with U.S. backing. The move follows years of mediation efforts and a recent shift in how regional players view security and sovereignty, especially as Moscow recalibrates after its invasion of Ukraine.

The event marks more than a single peace ceremony. It signals a recalibration of influence in the South Caucasus, with Washington attempting to fill gaps left by Russia and to create a new economic lattice in a pivotal energy corridor. The symbolism of naming a transit route after a foreign leader raises questions about ownership and legitimacy, even as investors show interest. The deal could deliver real benefits if implemented, but it also sets up a high-stakes test: can a framework built around external mediation endure past ceremony and media optics? Watch for domestic political reactions in both capitals and how the border arrangements are actually enforced on the ground. The risk is clear: early wins without durable guarantees can push stale tensions into new economic dependencies.

Highlights

Observers will follow the next steps closely as negotiations move from ceremony to practical roadmaps.