Opinions from Fresno residents on Trump's agreement for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan
The South Caucasus region witnessed a significant milestone in August 2025 with the signing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the White House. U.S. President Donald Trump, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev were present at the ceremony to mark the occasion[1][4].
This treaty aims to permanently end hostilities, respect each other's sovereignty, establish full diplomatic relations, open trade and travel, and dismantle the OSCE Minsk Group, which had mediated the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for decades[1][2][3].
Key details of the agreement include:
- The agreement recognizes the territorial integrity of both states after Azerbaijan regained full control of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023[1][3].
- Armenia awards the U.S. special development rights over the strategic Zangezur corridor for 99 years. This corridor—a 27-mile land passage—facilitates transit between Azerbaijan and its exclave Nakhchivan and strengthens connections from Turkey to Central Asia bypassing Iran and Russia[4].
- The agreement is grounded in international law principles, including the UN Charter and Helsinki Final Act[2].
The geopolitical implications of this agreement are significant:
- The agreement sets the stage for improved Türkiye–Armenia relations, potentially leading to open borders and deeper regional connectivity[1].
- It challenges the influence of regional powers such as Iran, Russia, and China. The U.S. project aims to reduce their dominance over South Caucasus transit routes[4].
- Despite initial support for the peace deal, Iran has expressed security concerns and threatened actions against the U.S.-led corridor, although Armenia and Azerbaijan argue the deal also benefits Iran and Russia through new railway connections enhancing their regional trade[3][5].
- Russia welcomed the peace accord but voiced caution about U.S. involvement, reflecting complex regional dynamics[5].
Reactions to the agreement are varied:
- The European Union views the treaty as a positive step toward peaceful regional development[3].
- Iranian officials consider it an important peace advancement but caution against foreign interference near their borders[3].
- Both Armenia and Azerbaijan assert the deal is not targeted against any neighboring powers and emphasize mutual benefits, highlighting a willingness to engage regionally in an inclusive manner[1][5].
While the agreement is a landmark advance toward ending a decades-long conflict, analysts note that historical grievances, border incidents, and regional rivalries could still pose challenges to lasting peace, necessitating ongoing diplomatic and economic cooperation[3].
The agreement's success may depend on the trust and integrity of the leaders involved, particularly the President of Azerbaijan. The deal aims to connect the two countries while respecting Armenia's sovereignty and its people. The transit corridor, expected to be called the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, will have a rail line, oil and gas lines, and allow the movement of goods.
However, concerns about the President of Azerbaijan's integrity and his claims on land have been raised, and trust and confidence building are concerns for Berj K. Apkarian and Fresno State Professor Matthew Ari Jendian regarding the agreement.
In summary, the 2025 Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement establishes a framework for lasting peace, regional integration, and economic development, marking a critical pivot toward stability in the South Caucasus, with broad international involvement and complex geopolitical ramifications[1][2][3][4][5].
- The Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement, signed in August 2025, not only aims to end the longstanding Nagorno-Karabakh conflict but also delves into regional politics, as it grants the U.S. special development rights over the strategic Zangezur corridor for 99 years, potentially influencing the politics and trade relationships of neighboring countries.
- The peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, signed in 2025, doesn't just aim to end war-and-conflicts but also sets the stage for changes in general-news, such as improved regional connectivity, reshaping politics, and challenging the influence of regional powers like Iran, Russia, and China, thereby shaping the future of the South Caucasus region significantly.
