Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the trilateral document signed in Washington between Armenia, the U.S., and Azerbaijan would give Armenia a railway link with Russia for the first time in 30 years. He made the remarks at a press conference when asked how the agreement could affect Armenia–Russia relations, Sputnik Armenia reported.
The question arose amid concerns that the planned “Trump route” might harm Russia’s and Iran’s regional logistics interests or reduce China’s role in Asia–Europe trade flows.
“In this logic, we could get that rail link either with TRIPP or without TRIPP, because there can be a railway connection through Georgia–Azerbaijan. There could be a rail link in some other scenario. Let’s not forget that the current railway lines are under Russia’s management, and Russia might be interested in investing in the restoration of the Ijevan–Hrazdan and Ijevan–Gazakh railways,” Pashinyan said.
He stressed that such a project would also require Azerbaijan’s consent.
“And let’s note that we also get a railway link with Iran, which is very important and something we have not had. We get a rail link to Central Asia, including via a ferry scenario. This would also give China a new rail route to the West, which it does not currently have. So it’s very important from which angle we look at this,” the prime minister added.
Pashinyan acknowledged comments that the deal could pose challenges to Russia’s or Iran’s interests, but said the project also creates opportunities for economic cooperation between Iran and the U.S., and between Russia and the U.S.
“Let’s remember that an Iranian company is building the North–South highway, and soon we will begin construction of the Meghri section of the railway. This could open a good opportunity for cooperation. There might also be a chance to restart the Yeraskh–Akhurik railway,” he noted.
He concluded that the initiative could become an unexpected but positive platform for cooperation, and that the Crossroads of Peace would be realized, enabling even rival states to work together across Armenia and the South Caucasus.
In Washington, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and U.S. President Donald Trump officially agreed to launch the “Trump route.” According to Trump, the route will allow Azerbaijan to reach Nakhichеvan while fully respecting Armenia’s sovereignty, and the partnership could be extended up to 99 years, with significant infrastructure investments expected from U.S. companies benefiting all three countries.
