Unimaginable Peace: Azerbaijan and Armenia End Decades-Long Conflict

Peace Agreement Between Armenia and Azerbaijan Marks New Era

Leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev, signed a historic peace agreement on Friday in Washington, D.C., with the presence of former U.S. President Donald Trump. This landmark deal comes after nearly four decades of conflict over the Karabakh region, marking a significant shift in the South Caucasus.

“We are today establishing peace in the South Caucasus,” said Azerbaijani President Aliyev. “Today we are writing a great new history.” Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized that this agreement represents “the opening of a chapter of peace” and that it lays the foundation for a better future compared to the past.

During a joint press conference, Trump highlighted the significance of the accord, stating, “The countries of Armenia and Azerbaijan are committing to ending all fighting forever.” He noted that while many international actors had tried to resolve the conflict without success, the U.S. played a crucial role in achieving this breakthrough.

In September 2023, Azerbaijan regained full control of the Karabakh region following a swift military operation. Since then, Baku and Yerevan have made progress in normalizing their relations. However, the recent agreement was reached without the involvement of third parties like Washington or Moscow, which marks a departure from previous diplomatic efforts.

The 'Trump Route' and Economic Implications

As part of the agreement, Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to create a major transit corridor named the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity. This route will connect mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan region, which borders Turkey via Armenian territory. According to White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, the corridor will ensure unimpeded connectivity between the two countries while respecting Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

For Azerbaijan, the corridor offers a direct land connection to Nakhchivan, strengthening ties with Turkey and reinforcing post-war gains through infrastructure diplomacy. It also enhances Azerbaijan’s position as a key transport and logistics hub globally. Initially, Baku preferred to manage the corridor independently without external involvement, but the U.S. now plays a central role in its development.

For Armenia, the route presents an opportunity to integrate into broader trade networks, diversify its economy, and attract foreign investment. Geopolitically, it could help Armenia normalize relations with its neighbors. However, there were concerns about potential threats to Armenian sovereignty, leading to discussions about maintaining control over the corridor.

Dissolving the OSCE Minsk Group

Armenia and Azerbaijan also signed a document to dissolve the OSCE Minsk Group, a body established in 1992 to mediate the Karabakh conflict. Pashinyan stated that if they are closing the page on the conflict, there is no need for a group focused on its resolution. The Minsk Group, chaired by France, the U.S., and Russia, has been instrumental in past negotiations.

The dissolution of the Minsk Group signals a shift in both countries’ foreign policies, moving away from Russian influence and toward the West. Signing the peace agreement in Washington alongside Trump sends a strong message to Moscow about their commitment to resolving disputes independently.

Tensions with Russia

Moscow has attempted to mend relations with both Baku and Yerevan, offering mediation and launching disinformation campaigns against Armenia. Russian state media has criticized Pashinyan, accusing him of trading Armenian sovereignty for personal financial gain and calling him a “puppet.”

Russia has also made false allegations about a bio-weapons facility in Armenia, echoing similar claims about Ukraine and Georgia. These accusations have further strained relations between Russia and its neighbors.

Azerbaijan's Aliyev recently announced plans to file lawsuits against Russia in international courts regarding the crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan. Investigations revealed that the plane was shot down by Russian air defenses over Grozny, and electronic warfare rendered it uncontrollable. Aliyev expressed readiness to wait for justice, even if it takes years.

In another recent incident, Baku detained the executive director and editor-in-chief of Russia's state-run news agency Sputnik following raids on the Azeri community in Yekaterinburg. Two people died during the raid, and 50 others were detained, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the two nations.