Trump to Host Armenia’s Pashinyan and Azerbaijan’s Aliyev in Washington This Friday for Peace Talks

Reports have surfaced that the U.S. President Donald Trump will host Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Washington this Friday. The meeting is expected to focus on discussions around a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with critical implications for the future of Armenians. 

Although Armenia’s government has not officially confirmed the meeting, it has also not denied the reports. 

The Armenian government’s press office stated it “can neither confirm nor deny” the information at this time and focused that any details should be considered official only after a formal announcement.

The last high-level encounter between the two leaders took place in Abu Dhabi on July 10, where discussions included finalizing an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty. However, Azerbaijan continues to demand that Armenia change its constitution, undermining Armenia’s sovereignty and threatening the rights and security of Armenians.

This tension follows Azerbaijan’s recent military aggression against Artsakh, a region inhabited by ethnic Armenians for over two thousand years. In 1991, the Armenians there declared independence and have maintained de facto self-rule for decades. Azerbaijan's recent military actions have ethnically cleansed all the Armenians from their indigenous region.

One controversial topic in the talks is a U.S. proposal for managing transit between Azerbaijan and its Nakhijevan exclave through Armenia’s Syunik province. The plan calls for an American company to manage the transit, a proposal that has faced strong criticism within Armenia. Many fear this arrangement would threaten Armenia’s sovereignty over Syunik and give Azerbaijan an unwanted corridor through Armenian territory. Some proposals have even suggested a 100-year U.S. lease on the corridor, raising concerns about long-term foreign influence in Armenian lands.

Despite domestic opposition, Prime Minister Pashinyan has shown willingness to consider this transit proposal as part of the broader peace efforts. Critics warn that accepting such terms would undermine Armenia’s control over its territory and encourage further claims by Baku.

The U.S. is playing an important role in the peace process because it wants a stable South Caucasus. However, any agreement must address the real situation, especially ensuring Armenia’s security and sovereignty are fully respected.

The Armenian government remains cautious about publicizing the details of the upcoming Washington talks. The outcome will have lasting consequences for regional peace, security, and the future of Artsakh’s Armenian population.

If confirmed, the peace announcement would be an important step in a conflict that has caused great suffering for Armenians. Real peace must respect Armenia’s sovereignty, protect the rights and safety of Armenians, and stop Azerbaijan’s aggressive actions against Armenians. 

—

Support independent reporting from the region by subscribing to The Armenian Report. Our team is funded solely by readers like you.