Trump hosts Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders to announce peace accord
More: Trump greenlights Putin sit-down, even if Russian leader does not meet with Zelenskyy
"By locking into this path to peace, we are unlocking the great potential of the South Caucasus region in trade, transit and energy flows," Anna Kelly, White House deputy press secretary, told reporters. "This president has yet again shown that we can move beyond longstanding conflicts of the past and move toward the future."
A senior Trump administration official said that the new Trump corridor will open trade and connectivity to Armenia, which has been effectively blocked from access along its border with Azerbaijan.
More: US plan sees Hezbollah disarmed by year-end, Israeli withdrawal
Trump administration officials have quietly worked for months to secure an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
"These two Nations have been at War for many years, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people," Trump said in an Aug. 7 post on his social media site Truth Social, lauding his victory. "Many Leaders have tried to end the War, with no success, until now, thanks to 'TRUMP.'"
Additionally, Trump will sign agreements with leaders of both countries on energy, technology, economic cooperation, border security, infrastructure and trade with the United States. No additional details were provided.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at odds since the late 1980s when Nagorno-Karabakh - an Azerbaijani region that had a mostly ethnic-Armenian population - broke away from Azerbaijan with support from Armenia. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan won independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Contributing: Reuters
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
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