Russian Security Council Official Criticizes U.S. Role in TRIPP Project

MOSCOW — A senior Russian Security Council official has criticized U.S. involvement in the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), raising concerns about the planned Armenian-American infrastructure project and its potential security implications.

Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Alexey Shevtsov argued that U.S. involvement in the route could potentially facilitate the presence of private military companies or intelligence infrastructure in Armenia. These are Russian officials’ claims; Armenian authorities have publicly rejected the prospect of any foreign military or armed presence under TRIPP.

Shevtsov also raised concerns over the proposed ownership structure of the Armenian-American company involved in the project, citing a 74 percent U.S. stake and a 26 percent Armenian stake. He characterized the arrangement as a “classic post-colonial model” and questioned the reliability of the proposed trade route.

The Armenian government has presented a sharply different interpretation of the project. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that TRIPP will operate entirely within Armenia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and jurisdiction and has specifically said that the project does not envisage any foreign military or armed presence.

According to Pashinyan, the initial ownership structure provides for a 26 percent Armenian stake, while Armenia’s share would rise to 49 percent if the arrangement is extended for an additional 50 years after its initial 49-year term.

The Armenian government says TRIPP is intended to establish direct railway connectivity between Armenia and Azerbaijan while integrating Armenia into broader international transportation networks. On October 2, Pashinyan described the project as a key component of Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative and said it would contribute to wider regional connectivity.