Turkey has officially declared its strong support for the U.S.-brokered peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, a pivotal accord signed on August 8, 2025. This significant development, which aims to usher in an era of regional stability, centers on the establishment of the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP) transit corridor. This strategic route is designed to connect Azerbaijan's mainland with its exclave of Nakhchivan, extending through Armenian territory and ultimately linking to Turkey, thereby fostering enhanced regional connectivity and economic cooperation.
The agreement, finalized in Washington D.C., was a culmination of intensive diplomatic efforts, with U.S. President Donald Trump playing a key role in facilitating the dialogue between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The "Trump Route" corridor, a central component of the accord, is envisioned to facilitate trade and transit, potentially linking Europe and Asia via Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted the corridor's strategic importance, underscoring its potential to reshape regional dynamics. The peace deal follows Azerbaijan's 2023 military success in Nagorno-Karabakh, an event that led to the displacement of ethnic Armenians. While the international community, including European nations like Spain and France, has largely welcomed the accord as a decisive step towards lasting peace, concerns have been voiced by Iran. Tehran has expressed apprehension regarding foreign involvement and potential security implications, leading to military exercises near its borders. Russia, while acknowledging the agreement, has emphasized the importance of regional stakeholders and cautioned against external interference, suggesting that lasting solutions should be developed collaboratively by regional countries. The historical context of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is deeply rooted, with tensions simmering since the Soviet era. The dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh, an area internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but historically populated by ethnic Armenians, escalated into full-scale war in the early 1990s, resulting in significant casualties and displacement. Despite a Russian-brokered ceasefire in 1994, the conflict remained unresolved until this recent U.S.-led diplomatic breakthrough. The "Trump Route" corridor, with its potential to unlock substantial regional trade and integrate Armenia into global supply chains, is poised to transform the South Caucasus. This initiative not only promises economic benefits but also signifies a shift in geopolitical alignments, potentially reducing the influence of external powers while strengthening regional partnerships. The agreement is currently undergoing ratification, with the establishment of the TRIPP corridor expected to commence imminently, marking a new chapter for peace and prosperity in the region.