The leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia are scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday and Friday for a pivotal peace summit. This gathering holds the potential to advance a long-awaited peace agreement between the two nations, which have been embroiled in conflict for nearly 40 years.
As both countries seek to distance themselves from Russian influence, this meeting in the White House sends a clear message of their commitment to resolving their differences independently, signaling a shift in their foreign policy orientation toward the West. Furthermore, this encounter could bolster Trump’s broader strategy to position the U.S. as a significant player in global conflict resolution.
Significance of the Zangezur Corridor
The agenda for the peace talks is heavily focused on the Zangezur Corridor—a proposed transportation route intended to connect Azerbaijan’s mainland to its enclave, which borders Turkey, traversing Armenian territory. For Azerbaijan, the corridor is crucial as it promises a direct link to Nakhchivan, strengthens ties with Turkey, and reinforces its post-conflict territorial gains through infrastructure development.
Control over the corridor is a contentious issue, with Azerbaijan aiming for exclusive oversight without involvement from external powers such as the U.S., Europe, or Russia. In contrast, Armenia views the corridor as a chance to broaden its trade networks and attract foreign investment, though concerns persist regarding the potential compromise of its sovereignty. Yerevan insists that any operational authority over the route must remain under Armenian control to avoid relinquishing power.
This 43-kilometer corridor through Armenia’s Syunik Province is not only significant for Azerbaijan and Armenia but also influential in shaping the geopolitical dynamics across the entire region.
Geopolitical Implications and U.S. Interests
The Armenian government’s press office announced that the summit in Washington aims to “promote peace, prosperity, and economic cooperation in the region.” The U.S. has vested interests in the South Caucasus, having recently proposed to manage the Zangezur Corridor to facilitate uninterrupted cargo and passenger movement between Azerbaijan, Turkey, and beyond to Europe and Asia.
Turkey perceives this corridor as a vital element in its strategy to emerge as a key energy and trade hub. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted its significance during a recent press briefing.
However, this initiative has sparked fierce opposition from Russia and Iran, both of which view U.S. involvement as a direct threat to their influence over regional trade routes. For Iran, the corridor could diminish its control over northward trade, while for Moscow, it signifies a potential loss of the last remnants of its authority in a region historically under its sway.
As Russia grapples with its commitments in Ukraine, its influence in the South Caucasus continues to wane. In September 2023, Azerbaijan regained full control of the Karabakh region after a swift military operation, highlighting the diminishing role of the Kremlin, which has been attempting to reposition itself as a mediator.
Recent tensions have also marred Azerbaijan-Russia relations, including the crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan, which is currently being investigated. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has announced plans to pursue lawsuits against Russia concerning the incident, emphasizing that justice must prevail regardless of the time it takes.
As Armenia and Azerbaijan navigate their new diplomatic landscape, the withdrawal from Russian influence has created a vacuum in regional power dynamics, providing an opening for external actors to facilitate negotiations and economic initiatives.