Aliyev and Pashinyan to Sign Historic Peace Agreement at Trump-Hosted White House Summit

Kokcha News Agency – In a historic move towards peace, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan are expected to sign a key document today at the White House, under the auspices of U.S. President Donald Trump. The summit, dubbed the “Peace Summit,” is also expected to announce an agreement on the development and operation of the Zangezur Corridor, a strategic transit route connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through Armenian territory. The project, funded by the U.S., will be named the “Trump International Peace and Prosperity Route” (TRIPP).

The meeting, scheduled for midnight Turkey time, comes after Aliyev and Pashinyan last met directly on July 10 in the United Arab Emirates, where positive developments towards a permanent peace agreement were noted. This meeting, however, holds greater significance as it is hosted by Trump, who has been positioning himself as a peacemaker.

Trump, who has repeatedly claimed to have ended six conflicts since taking office, sees this summit as an opportunity to bolster his image as a peace-seeking leader. Earlier this month, he stated that he had ended six wars, including the Israel-Iran 12-day war, the Congo-Rwanda conflict, and the India-Pakistan military tensions. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has even suggested that Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

The agreement to be signed today is expected to solidify the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, making it irreversible, with Trump acting as the “guarantor” of the peace. The deal will also include the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, a long-standing mediation body co-chaired by the U.S., Russia, and France, which has overseen the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for decades.

Key Points of the Agreement:

1. Disarmament of Hamas: The agreement will include provisions for the disarmament of Hamas.
2. Return of Hostages: The release of 50 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
3. Demilitarization of Gaza: The complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.
4. Israeli Control: Israel will assume full control over the Gaza Strip.
5. Civilian Administration: The establishment of an alternative civilian administration, replacing Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

The summit also carries geopolitical implications, particularly for Russia, which has seen its influence in the South Caucasus wane in recent years. Both Azerbaijan and Armenia have cooled relations with Moscow, with Armenia seeking closer ties with the West and Azerbaijan demanding compensation from Russia for the downing of a civilian aircraft.

Turkey, meanwhile, has expressed support for the peace process, viewing it as an opportunity to normalize relations with Armenia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pashinyan have been in dialogue, and the peace agreement could pave the way for the opening of diplomatic relations and border crossings between Turkey and Armenia.