Azerbaijan–Armenia Peace Agreement (2025)

Azerbaijan–Armenia Peace Agreement (2025) is an international peace document signed to end long-standing disputes between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia. The agreement entered into force on 8 August 2025 during a “Peace Signing Ceremony” held at the White House in Washington DC under the mediation of the United States of America.

The ceremony was attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and US President Donald Trump. The agreement provides for the permanent resolution of territorial and border disputes between the parties, the restoration of mutual diplomatic relations and the development of transport and economic cooperation in the South Caucasus region.

Historical Background

The origins of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia lie in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast, which was located within the borders of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic during the Soviet era and had a population that included a significant Armenian component. In the late 1980s, as the Soviet Union entered its dissolution process, ethnic and political tensions in the region intensified. Protests, clashes and mutual attacks over the status of Nagorno-Karabakh began in 1988.

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Azerbaijan and Armenia emerged as independent states. A large-scale war soon erupted between the two countries over control of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts. Fighting was halted in 1994 with the signing of a ceasefire agreement, but Nagorno-Karabakh remained under the de facto control of Armenian forces and the administration supported by Armenia. During this period, approximately 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory was under occupation.

Between 1994 and 2020, the ceasefire was frequently violated, with periodic intense clashes along the border. The conflict known as the “Four-Day War” in April 2016 resulted in Azerbaijan capturing several strategic hilltops.

During the hostilities between 27 September and 10 November 2020, known as the “44-Day War,” Azerbaijan gained control over extensive areas including Füzuli, Jebrayil, Zangilan, Qubadli and Shusha. In the trilateral statement signed on 10 November 2020 under Russian mediation, Armenia agreed to withdraw from the occupied districts of Ağdam, Lachin and Kelbajar.

In September 2023, Azerbaijan established full sovereignty over Karabakh through an “anti-terrorism operation,” resulting in the surrender of Armenian armed groups and the dissolution of the de facto administration in the region.

Following these military and political developments, a new peace process was initiated between the parties, with negotiation rounds held in various platforms including Moscow, Brussels and Washington. In 2021, Azerbaijan formally offered a peace proposal to Armenia. In 2022, a five-point draft was presented, addressing mutual recognition of territorial integrity and sovereignty, delimitation of borders and opening of transport routes.

These initiatives proved unsuccessful due to differing positions between the parties on the status of the Zangezur Corridor and the future rights of Karabakh Armenians. Diplomatic contacts continued until 2025, ultimately laying the groundwork for an agreement reached in Washington under US mediation.

Triple Summit in Washington

The Trilateral Summit in Washington, The summit took place on 8 August 2025 in Washington DC, the capital of the United States of America, at the White House. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and US President Donald Trump attended the summit.

Diplomatic preparations for the summit intensified in July 2025. In July, contacts between the parties were facilitated by US special envoy Steve Witkoff in the United Arab Emirates’ capital During the talks held in Abu Dhabi. These talks addressed the operational model of the Zangezur Corridor, differing measurements of its length (32 km and 43 km), and terminological differences between the parties regarding the corridor’s definition (“corridor” and “mutual opening of routes”).

The agenda of the Washington summit included final approval of the 17-article peace agreement text, provisions concerning the Zangezur Corridor and the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project, the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, the restoration of mutual diplomatic relations, the withdrawal of cases before international courts and economic cooperation. It was also announced that bilateral economic cooperation agreements between the parties and the United States in the fields of energy, artificial intelligence and technology would be signed.

The summit began with closed-door sessions followed by a public signing ceremony. Ambassadors of Turkey, Russia, the European Union and several regional countries, along with international observers, were invited to the ceremony.

Negotiations on the Agreement Text

In March 2025, after negotiations between the parties, a consensus was reached on a draft peace agreement consisting of 17 articles. The draft did not grant a special status to the Armenian population in Karabakh and required both countries to withdraw their cases against each other before international courts. An agreement was also reached on the non-deployment of third-country representatives along Azerbaijan’s border.

Azerbaijan insisted that expressions in Armenia’s Constitution contradicting Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity be removed and that the OSCE Minsk Group be dissolved. Armenia stated that constitutional amendments required a referendum and acknowledged that the OSCE Minsk Group would become obsolete after the signing of the agreement.

Due to ongoing disagreements on the implementation of certain provisions, the option of “paraphing” the agreement text as an interim step prior to formal signing was considered.

Zangezur Corridor and TRIPP Provisions

The Zangezur Corridor is a transport route designed to establish a land and rail connection between Azerbaijan’s western regions and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The corridor passes through Armenia’s Syunik region and was also referenced in the trilateral statement that ended the 2020 ceasefire.

Azerbaijan demanded unimpeded and unrestricted passage through the corridor. Armenia argued that all crossings along the route must operate in accordance with its national legislation. The parties also used differing terminology to define the corridor: Azerbaijan used the term “corridor,” while Armenia used the concept of “mutual opening of routes.”

During the Washington talks, the operational model of the corridor was also discussed. A proposal was put forward for a US-based company to assume operational rights. The planned infrastructure includes roads, railways, oil and natural gas pipelines, and fiber-optic communication lines.

The corridor project has been named by the United States the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP). Under the project, the United States is granted exclusive rights for a specified period, which may be sub-licensed to other companies, and investments are expected to be financed by US-based private sector entities.

Different measurements for the corridor’s length appear in various documents: 32 kilometers in some and 43 kilometers in others. This discrepancy arises from differences in measurement methods and route definitions. An additional document to be signed in Washington by the parties is planned to formalize the project’s implementation.

The Role of the United States and Bilateral Agreements

The United States of America served as both mediator and host in the Azerbaijan–Armenia Peace Agreement process. US President Donald Trump actively participated in the negotiations and held multiple meetings with the leaders of both sides.

Following the signing of the agreement, separate bilateral agreements were concluded between the United States and Azerbaijan and between the United States and Armenia. These agreements cover economic cooperation, joint energy projects, infrastructure development and technology transfer. The documents signed between the United States and Azerbaijan include the lifting of certain defense restrictions and the expansion of security cooperation. The documents signed with Armenia include provisions on regulatory improvements for investment, increased trade and the participation of US companies in infrastructure projects.

The United States has secured time-limited exclusive rights over the operation of the Zangezur Corridor under the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) initiative. Under these rights, US-based companies are granted priority in investment and operational activities, and these rights may be transferred to third parties.

Developments in the International Mediation Process

Several international actors have engaged in mediation efforts in the Azerbaijan–Armenia peace process. Russia played an active role in negotiations following the 2020 ceasefire, hosting multiple rounds of talks in Moscow. The European Union also brought the parties together through meetings held in Brussels.

Türkiye has supported the process both through its strategic alliance with Azerbaijan and through its normalization efforts with Armenia. Technical talks on border crossings were conducted under the Türkiye–Armenia normalization framework, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Türkiye.

The United States became directly involved in the process in 2025 and hosted the trilateral summit in Washington. France made efforts to build confidence between the parties but did not participate in formal negotiations in later stages.

With mutual agreement on the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group in 2025, the organization’s formal role in conflict resolution came to an end. Subsequent stages of the process have relied primarily on direct bilateral negotiations and talks mediated by the United States.

Details of the Summit and Signing Ceremony

The signing ceremony of the Azerbaijan–Armenia Peace Agreement took place on 8 August 2025 in Washington DC, the capital of the United States of America, at the White House. The ceremony was held publicly following closed-door negotiations between the parties. At the signing, in addition to the peace agreement, documents were signed establishing the restoration of diplomatic relations, mutual consent on the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, an additional protocol defining the operational principles of the Zangezur Corridor and a roadmap for normalization.

During the signing process, documents were first paraphed by authorized representatives of both sides, followed by formal signatures. Ambassadors of Turkey, Russia, the European Union and several regional countries, along with international observers, were invited to the ceremony.

After the signing, the leaders of the parties appeared before the press to display the official signing documents and posed for photographs. The program concluded with brief bilateral meetings between representatives of participating countries.

International Reactions

Following the signing of the Azerbaijan–Armenia Peace Agreement, leaders and officials of the involved countries issued official statements. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that the agreement concluded in accordance with Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and emphasized the importance of implementing its provisions. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described the agreement as a step toward ensuring peace and stability within internationally recognized borders.

US President Donald Trump stated that the agreement represented a diplomatic breakthrough in resolving the long-standing conflict between the parties and thanked all parties for their contributions. The US Department of State announced that technical commissions would monitor the implementation of the agreement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye issued a written statement welcoming the agreement, noting that the opening of transport routes and increased economic cooperation in the South Caucasus would benefit the region’s countries.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulated the parties on signing the agreement and affirmed its readiness to cooperate to preserve stability in the region. The European Union announced its support for the implementation of the agreement and the reduction of tensions in the region.

Some countries outside the region also issued statements on the agreement, particularly highlighting the potential of transport and energy projects to enhance economic cooperation with third countries. International organizations issued positive assessments, welcoming the parties’ commitment to resolving their disputes through diplomatic means.