US President Donald Trump is set to host a historic peace summit at the White House, bringing together sworn enemies Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign a long-sought peace deal. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will attend the ceremony, marking a significant step towards ending decades of conflict between the two regional rivals.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has claimed thousands of lives and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes. Despite previous attempts to broker peace, a breakthrough has proved elusive. However, with Trump’s mediation, the two countries are now closer than ever to signing a comprehensive peace deal. The agreement aims to normalize ties between the two nations and unlock economic opportunities in the South Caucasus region.
Azerbaijan has outlined several demands, including amendments to Armenia’s constitution to drop territorial claims for the disputed Karabakh region. While it’s unclear whether these demands have been met, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between ExxonMobil and Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR on Thursday. The US and Azerbaijan are also expected to sign bilateral deals to pursue economic opportunities and develop their strategic partnership.
A peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan would be a major breakthrough in a region where Russia, the European Union, the United States, and Turkey all jostle for influence. The agreement would not only bring relief to the people of Armenia and Azerbaijan but also have significant implications for regional stability and economic development.
Trump’s administration has been engaged with both sides for some time, and he has repeatedly praised his own diplomatic efforts, saying he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. The upcoming peace signing ceremony is seen as a testament to his commitment to resolving international conflicts. Cambodia’s prime minister recently nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, further highlighting his efforts to broker peace in the region.
