Pashinyan granted sovereignty on rent
In a historic move, the peace memorandum signed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the White House on August 8, 2025, marked a significant step towards resolving the long-standing conflict between the two nations. However, the agreement, titled “Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia”, remains non-binding and non-finalized, as it is considered an initial framework or letter of intent, not a signed and ratified peace treaty.
The central and controversial provision of the agreement is the facilitation of unimpeded connectivity between Azerbaijan’s mainland and its exclave Nakhchivan through Armenian territory, specifically the Syunik (also known as Zangezur) region in southern Armenia. This corridor, named the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), was the main document signed. Armenia agreed to cooperate with the U.S. and other third parties to establish this connectivity project on Armenian soil.
The U.S. plays a key role as a mediator and guarantor in this agreement. Under this framework, Armenia commits to working with the U.S. and mutually agreed third parties to manage the TRIPP project and corridor arrangements. Media reports suggest the U.S. might hold a quasi-guardian role over the corridor’s functioning, although official details on the length and terms remain politically contested and vague.
The agreement includes a joint appeal to the OSCE for the closure of the Minsk Group, the long-time mediator body of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The deal was welcomed internationally by NATO, the EU, France, the UK, Iran (with reservations regarding border stability), and Turkey. Turkey’s support is linked to the finalization of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Despite the historic nature of the agreement, it faces significant political contention and implementation challenges. The opposition in Armenia accuses Pashinyan of potentially ceding corridor control to the U.S. for up to 99 years, which has been a source of political tension. The U.S. and involved parties have acknowledged the need for further negotiations and ratification.
It is important to note that the ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan is also part of the agreements made in the White House. However, there is a possibility of gunshots on the border sections where demarcation has not been completed.
Aliyev stated that a real peace treaty will only be possible after Armenia removes its territorial claims against Azerbaijan from its Constitution. The control of TRIPP is handed over to the U.S. for a lease of 99 years, but it is uncertain if this will provide a guarantee of security for Armenia. As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of this agreement for Armenian sovereignty, regional connectivity, and the balance of influence in the South Caucasus will become increasingly clear.
- The peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, signed on August 8, 2025, not only involves war-and-conflicts politics but also general news, as it pertains to the establishment of the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP), a controversial corridor connecting Azerbaijan's mainland with its exclave Nakhchivan through Armenian territory.
- The Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, although non-binding and non-finalized, has political implications extending beyond the resolution of the long-standing conflict, including the role of the U.S. as a mediator and potential quasi-guardian of the TRIPP corridor, which remains a subject of debate and contention in Armenia.
