The leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, came together at the White House on Friday, signing a significant peace agreement aimed at resolving years of conflict. Emphasizing the historical importance of the moment, President Donald Trump affirmed, "It's been a long time coming," as he announced plans to reopen crucial transport routes and enhance U.S. influence in the region.
The decades-old tensions primarily revolve around Nagorno-Karabakh, a contested area that's sparked violence since the 1980s. During the summit, both leaders vowed to end hostilities "forever," fostering travel and trade relations. As Aliyev noted, "We lost a lot of years being preoccupied with wars" — a sentiment echoed by Pashinyan, who hailed the agreement as a "significant milestone."
A key element of the deal involves the establishment of the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity," which will connect Azerbaijani territories separated by Armenia. With the U.S. taking a primary role in brokering peace, Trump's administration highlights a shift away from longstanding Russian mediation in the region.
Throughout the meeting, both leaders expressed gratitude to Trump, who stated he also inked agreements to boost energy and technology trade, underscoring his role in fostering peace among nations in conflict. As the geopolitical landscape shifts, the focus now lies on whether this fragile accord can bring lasting peace to a historically volatile area.
The decades-old tensions primarily revolve around Nagorno-Karabakh, a contested area that's sparked violence since the 1980s. During the summit, both leaders vowed to end hostilities "forever," fostering travel and trade relations. As Aliyev noted, "We lost a lot of years being preoccupied with wars" — a sentiment echoed by Pashinyan, who hailed the agreement as a "significant milestone."
A key element of the deal involves the establishment of the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity," which will connect Azerbaijani territories separated by Armenia. With the U.S. taking a primary role in brokering peace, Trump's administration highlights a shift away from longstanding Russian mediation in the region.
Throughout the meeting, both leaders expressed gratitude to Trump, who stated he also inked agreements to boost energy and technology trade, underscoring his role in fostering peace among nations in conflict. As the geopolitical landscape shifts, the focus now lies on whether this fragile accord can bring lasting peace to a historically volatile area.
