By KRIKOR KHODANIAN
Following the end of the 44-day war in 2020, Azerbaijan demanded the establishment of an uninterrupted corridor through Armenia’s Syunik Province under the terms of the trilateral agreement brokered by Russia. Baku referred to this route as the “Zangezur Corridor,” arguing that it was necessary to connect mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave of Nakhichevan. Moscow also supported Azerbaijan’s position, insisting that control of the corridor should be entrusted to Russian forces.
From the very beginning, Yerevan rejected this approach, declaring that no such concept as a “Zangezur Corridor” exists and emphasizing that any arrangement undermining Armenia’s sovereignty represented a red line.
Within Armenia’s political landscape, well-known opposition circles simultaneously accused the government of preparing to make yet another concession by surrendering Syunik region to Azerbaijan, while at the same time advocating that control of the route be handed over to Russia. The government, however, consistently maintained that it would not compromise the country’s sovereignty by transferring authority to any second or third party.
The dispute continued until the Peace Summit held in Washington on August 8, 2025, attended by U.S. President Donald Trump, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. During the summit, Armenia and Azerbaijan initialed their peace agreement, and the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) initiative was introduced. The project provides a land connection to Nakhichevan while ensuring that the route remains entirely under Armenia’s sovereignty and is not transferred, in any form, to the control of either Azerbaijan or Russia.
TRIPP also includes a significant economic component. The initiative envisions reopening regional trade routes to stimulate Armenia’s economic development by increasing commerce throughout the South Caucasus, generating transit revenues and foreign investment, and expanding Armenia’s access to regional markets. To support these objectives, a joint Armenian-American company was established to attract investment and oversee the implementation of the project.
Naturally, several obstacles could slow the project’s implementation. Russia has refused to sell Armenia’s railways to another country, preventing the rehabilitation of this vital transportation network, which has suffered from years of neglect and inactivity, and delaying its integration into the broader project. The Islamic Republic of Iran has also expressed concerns regarding a potential American presence near its border. Yerevan is attempting to address both issues through negotiations.
Regarding Russia’s role, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister recently stated that the TRIPP route connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan through Syunik would operate in accordance with the transit regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The statement came as a surprise, particularly at a time when Armenia’s relations with the EAEU remain strained and the United States is an active participant in the TRIPP initiative. Seeking clarification, Azatutyun Radio submitted an inquiry to the U.S. State Department, which responded unequivocally:
“TRIPP preserves Armenia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction. All border security and customs functions remain under Armenia’s control. Armenian authorities will conduct oversight and make all key decisions.”
Domestic critics continue to pin their hopes on the failure of the TRIPP project, insisting that Azerbaijan has effectively achieved its objective by obtaining the “corridor” it sought. The reality, however, tells a different story. American technical teams continue to visit Armenia on a regular basis to carry out preparatory work. The latest delegation consisted of American engineering specialists who inspected the proposed route’s soil. As for the accusation that Armenia has surrendered control of the corridor, that claim has been repeatedly rejected by Armenian officials and has now been reaffirmed by the United States.
It is therefore becoming increasingly clear that, despite all the pessimistic predictions, the TRIPP project is moving forward. Armenia remains the sole decision-maker on all political and economic matters related to the initiative, retaining exclusive authority to coordinate every aspect of cooperation with third countries in a manner that serves Armenia’s economic development and long-term national interests.
“MASSIS”
P.S. In the latest development, the U.S. State Department confirmed the appointment of Konstantin Sokolov, a Soviet-born American investor based in Chicago, to head the TRIPP+ Enterprise Fund, which will support projects along a trade route passing through Armenia.
