- August 8, 2025
Washington, D.C. — Global ARM President Timothy Jemal issued the following statement following today’s landmark meetings between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, as well as the historic trilateral summit including Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, focused on strengthening U.S.- Armenia relations and advancing peace in the South Caucasus:
“Global ARM welcomes today’s signing of the U.S.-brokered declaration committing to peace by the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in front of President Trump. This historic convening at the White House represents a positive step forward in advancing a just and durable peace and deterring further Azerbaijani aggression. For the first time, a U.S. president and his administration have successfully brought Aliyev to the negotiating table while also making it clear that it is a top U.S. priority to deepen ties with its Strategic Partner, Armenia. The Trump Administration deserves credit for the progress made on this normalization initiative.
The joint declaration not only sets a deadline at the end of next year for ratifying a peace treaty but also commits all parties to collaborate in good faith toward opening new transportation routes for international trade and regional prosperity. For Armenia, the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) — which is expected to fully safeguard Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity — presents a historic opportunity to become a central hub for secure transportation links, including through routes that will later open economic access to Turkey. These developments represent a potential turning point for Armenia’s economic future and regional security.
Furthermore, the multiple memorandums of understanding (MOUs) executed today by the U.S. and Armenia will support U.S. strategic interests by strengthening economic ties with Armenia across key sectors—including in defense cooperation, artificial intelligence (AI), civilian nuclear energy, semiconductors, and the Crossroads for Peace initiative, creating opportunities for the U.S. to foster the development of secure, diversified supply chains. Global ARM welcomes these forward-looking initiatives and reiterates its support for ongoing U.S. engagement in fostering lasting peace and prosperity in the region.
While today’s announcement is a significant milestone, Global ARM acknowledges this agreement marks only the start of a process to achieve an equitable and lasting peace. Global ARM will continue working as a collaborative partner to the Trump Administration as it maintains the pivotal role for the U.S. in shaping an ultimate peace agreement.
To ensure a just and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan aligned with U.S. interests, the following actions must be taken:
- Complete withdrawal of Azerbaijani military forces from the sovereign territory of Armenia.
- Unconditional release of all Armenian prisoners held by Baku.
- Sanctions on Azerbaijan that would be “triggered” if Baku engages in aggression against Armenia.
- The immediate lifting of the Turkish blockade of Armenia.
- Right of return for ethnic Armenians to their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh and preservation of Armenian cultural and religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh.
- Acceleration of the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Partnership, including specific actions to strengthen bilateral economic and security ties.
Aliyev has a long track record of reneging on his commitments, including prior assurances to the U.S. regarding non-aggression toward Armenia and Nagorno- Karabakh. The waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support restricting U.S. government assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan is ill-timed, as dictators like Aliyev can only be restrained by concrete measures that punish bad behavior. The U.S. Government must play a constructive role and take actions that maintain a conducive environment for continued negotiations on a just and lasting peace treaty. Global ARM calls on the Trump Administration to immediately bolster security cooperation with Armenia to address military disparity in the South Caucasus and reinforce deterrence against future Azerbaijani aggression. Furthermore, the U.S. Government must send an unequivocal message that any acts of hostility by Azerbaijan which threaten regional stability or undermine the peace process will be met with severe consequences.
Global ARM has emerged as the leader in growing U.S.-Armenia ties and deterring violence perpetrated by Azerbaijan. The agreement signed today creates a pathway to achieve these goals. Global ARM will continue supporting the efforts of the Trump Administration, as well as the U.S. Congress, to achieve a dignified and enduring peace in the South Caucasus.”
About Global ARM
Global ARM is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization formed in 2022 to implement smarter, stronger and more effective Pro-Armenia, Pro-Artsakh advocacy in Washington, D.C. Global ARM is non-partisan and not aligned with any political party or government inside or outside of Armenia.
Image source: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP