🔗 Share this article

A deserted terminal, several corroded railcars and limited stretches of railway constitute the only remnants of former Soviet railroad in Armenia's southern region.

While appearing improbable, this derelict stretch of railway in the Caucasus region has been designated to become a symbol of peace brokered by the US president, referred to as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity.

Scattered around are remains of a statue from a memorial to a communist hero. A woman's sculpture is missing an arm.

"We stand upon this proposed corridor, also known as Peace Junction, the ancient trade route, and the regional passageway," says Marut Vanyan. "However currently none of this looks American."

Peace Negotiations

This constitutes one of the "unendable wars" Trump claims to have successfully resolved, through an agreement between Armenia and its long-time enemy Azerbaijan.

The proposal outlines US companies moving in under a 99-year deal to develop the 43km route through Armenian territory along the complete frontier with Iran, creating a passageway linking Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan.

A railway, motorway and pipelines have all been pledged and Trump has spoken of companies spending "a lot of money, that will financially advantage all three of our nations".

On the ground, the scale of the challenge is clear. This connectivity project must be constructed from scratch, but political hurdles significantly exceed financial considerations.

Geopolitical Implications

Trump's intervention might transform the geopolitics of a region that Moscow considers as its regional domain. Conservative factions in Iran express concern and are threatening to halt the initiative.

The Tripp proposal is key to ending a conflict between the two neighboring nations that originated from Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani territory historically populated by.

In 2023, Azerbaijani forces regained the disputed region, and virtually the entire Armenian population were displaced. This was not the initial displacement in this conflict: in the 1990s half a million Azerbaijani citizens were displaced.

International Stakeholders

American diplomatic efforts were enabled because of Moscow's diminished influence in the South Caucasus.

Over time, Russian authorities attempted towards restoring the passage that currently carries an American president's name.

Despite Moscow's suggestion for its FSB border troops to guard the future road has been rejected, Russian units continue monitoring the stretch of the Armenia‑Iran border that was selected as the Trump route.

Armenia's Syunik region represents a key hub for international trade, and businessmen and trucks from Iran commonly appear. Iranian construction companies are building a new bridge that will intersect the planned corridor.

This border waterway that divides Iranian and Armenian territory represents the exact path the route is set follow.

It is unclear the manner in which American and Persian corporations can operate together in Armenia, given recent US involvement in the Israel‑Iran war.

International Collaboration

Additionally exists increased European presence in southern Armenia.

French authorities initiated military equipment transfers to Armenian leadership and established diplomatic representation in Syunik. An EU monitoring mission operates within this area, and the future Trump route is seen by the EU as part of a "middle corridor" linking it with Central Asia and China and avoiding Russian territory.

Turkey is also eager to capitalize on opportunities arising from diminished Moscow presence.

Ankara is in talks with Armenia to normalise relations and has voiced support for the peace initiative, which would create immediate connectivity from Turkish territory to Azerbaijan through the separated region.

Armenia's government appears calm about the various competing interests. Authorities aspire for a "Crossroads of Peace" where every neighboring nation will co-operate.

"They say conditions will improve and that there will be massive European investment, modern infrastructure and trade with Iran, America, Europe, Turkey and Azerbaijan," the journalist comments while expressing skepticism.

An official settlement between Azerbaijan and Armenia has not yet been signed, but one thing is clear: following the American summit, not a single shot has occurred on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

Trump's intervention has provided some immediate respite to those who for years have lived in fear of resumed hostilities.