Trump to host historic Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Signing
Historic Summit 2025
On Friday, the leaders of two former Soviet republics gathered at the White House for a ceremony that has been dubbed a historic peace signing. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia met with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss ending a long‑standing conflict over the disputed Karabakh region.
Trump’s Vision
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump announced that the summit would serve as a milestone in international diplomacy. He emphasized that the United States would sign bilateral agreements with both countries to pursue mutually beneficial economic opportunities in the South Caucasus.
Key Agreements
- Aliyev and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff signed a memorandum of cooperation between ExxonMobil and Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR.
- Truman’s administration has engaged with both sides for several months, marking this meeting as a potential breakthrough.
Conflict Backdrop
Over the past decades, Baku and Yerevan have fought twice over Karabakh. In 2023, a rapid offensive enabled Azerbaijan to reclaim the region, resulting in the displacement of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians. Efforts to secure a peaceful resolution have included talks in the United Arab Emirates and the European Political Community summit in Albania.
Challenges Ahead
Although the memorandum of cooperation was inked, it remains unclear whether Azerbaijan’s demands—such as amendments to Armenia’s constitution to relinquish territorial claims for Karabakh—have been fully addressed. Trump’s administration has not provided details on the final document that representatives of the two countries will sign.
Looking Forward
Trump described Friday as a historic day for Armenia, Azerbaijan, the United States, and the world. He promised that the summit would unlock the economic potential of the region and encourage long‑term peace.
