YEREVAN, Armenia — Residents and politicians in Armenia and Azerbaijan responded Saturday with cautious hope — and skepticism in some circumstances — after their leaders signed a U.S.-brokered settlement on the White Home geared toward ending many years of hostilities.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed the agreement on Friday within the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who stood between the leaders as they shook palms — a gesture Trump bolstered by clasping their palms collectively.
Whereas the settlement doesn’t represent a proper peace treaty, it represents a major diplomatic step towards normalization of relations. The 2 international locations stay technically at battle, and the deal doesn’t resolve the longstanding dispute over the disputed area of Nagorno-Karabakh.
It does, nonetheless, replicate the shifting energy dynamics following Azerbaijan’s 2023 navy victory, which pressured the withdrawal of Armenian forces and ethnic Armenians from the area.
Among the many settlement’s provisions is the creation of a brand new transit hall, dubbed the “Trump Route for Worldwide Peace and Prosperity,” highlighting a altering geopolitical panorama amid declining Russian affect within the South Caucasus.
Nagorno-Karabakh has been on the coronary heart of the Armenia-Azerbaijan battle because the Soviet Union’s collapse. Though internationally acknowledged as a part of Azerbaijan, the mountainous area was managed for many years by ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia. Two wars — within the early Nineteen Nineties and once more in 2020 — left tens of hundreds lifeless and displaced. In 2023, Azerbaijan regained management of a lot of the territory in a swift offensive.
Ali Karimli, head of the opposition Individuals’s Entrance of Azerbaijan Social gathering, wrote on Fb that the signing of the settlement “has undoubtedly introduced Azerbaijan and Armenia considerably nearer to peace,” and famous that it delivered “one other blow … to Russia’s affect within the South Caucasus,” whereas deepening ties with the U.S.
Arif Hajili, chairman of Azerbaijani opposition get together Musavat, stated he believed that “essentially the most constructive side of the initialing in Washington was the absence of Russia from the method.”
He stated lasting stability within the area hinges on the continuous dwindling of Russian energy, which “is determined by the result of the Russian‑Ukrainian war.”
Hajili additionally warned of lingering challenges, together with Armenia’s financial dependence on Russia and a few 2 million Azerbaijanis dwelling in Russia.
“Russia will proceed to make use of these elements as levers of strain,” he stated.
“We’ve been ready for a very long time for this settlement to be signed,” a resident of Baku, Gunduz Aliyev, advised The Related Press. “We didn’t belief our neighbor, Armenia. That’s why a robust state was wanted to behave as a guarantor. Russia couldn’t do it, however the US succeeded.”
“The U.S. is taking full accountability for safety. This may convey peace and stability,” stated one other, Ali Mammadov. “Borders will open quickly, and regular relations with Armenia can be established.”
Abulfat Jafarov, additionally in Baku, expressed gratitude to all three leaders concerned.
“Peace is at all times factor,” he stated. “We welcome each step taken in the direction of progress.”
Some individuals in Yerevan had been not sure of the which means of the settlement.
“I really feel unsure as a result of a lot nonetheless wants clarification. There are unclear features, and though the prime minister of Armenia made some statements from the U.S., extra particulars are wanted,” Edvard Avoyan stated.
However entrepreneur Hrach Ghasumyan might see financial advantages.
“If fuel and oil pipelines cross via Armenia and railway routes are opened, it could be useful for the nation,” he stated. “Till now, all main routes have handed via Georgia, leaving Armenia sidelined and economically restricted.”
Others had been skeptical that peace may very well be achieved, and expressed discontent with the phrases of the settlement.
“That declaration is unlikely to convey actual peace to the area, and we’re effectively conscious of Azerbaijan’s stance,” Ruzanna Ghazaryan stated. “This preliminary settlement gives us nothing; the concessions are solely one-sided.”