Armenia rejects Moscow and Tehran's claims regarding the "Trump Route"

There are no ongoing discussions regarding Russia's participation in the TRIPP project. Official Yerevan also stated that it is taking into account the interests of neighboring countries, such as Iran, in implementing the "Trump Route."

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," Armenia and the United States are discussing two scenarios for granting construction rights for the "Trump Route" project in Armenia: for 99 and 49 years, with the land remaining Armenian property, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, but border delimitation may be necessary for the project's implementation.

The new railway to be built in southern Armenia as part of the TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) project will not be included on the balance sheet of South Caucasus Railways CJSC. However, Sarkis Khandanyan, a member of parliament from the Civil Contract faction and head of the parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee, stated that Russia's participation in the project may be discussed with the consent of both parties. 

"The country's existing railway lines are owned by South Caucasus Railways. The 43 kilometers of railway within the Trump Route will belong to TRIPP," the head of the parliamentary commission stated on December 16.

This was confirmed by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan. When asked whether negotiations were underway with the US regarding Russia's presence, Rubinyan denied it. "There are no such discussions," Armenpress quoted the Deputy Speaker as saying on December 16.

"Implementing the initiative without Russia's participation is difficult"

Earlier, Mikhail Kalugin, Director of the Fourth Directorate for CIS Countries at the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that Russia is ready to consult with Armenia on the parameters of TRIPP and Russia's possible participation. He stated that Moscow is open to discussing both the initiative's content and Russia's possible participation. Kalugin noted that "there are ample grounds for this."

"Our company, South Caucasus Railways, a subsidiary of Russian Railways, holds a concession to manage Armenia's railway network. The region uses Russian railway tracks. The route will largely pass through our border guards' area of ​​responsibility," RIA Novosti quotes Kalugin as saying.

He also pointed to Armenia's membership in the EAEU, emphasizing that implementing the initiative without Russia's participation is difficult. 

"Armenia takes Iran's interests into account"

Ruben Rubinyan also stated that Armenia takes into account the interests of all its neighbors, including Iran, when implementing the "Trump Route." He made this comment on the statement by Ali Akbar Velayati, Adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader on International Affairs, who described the project as identical to the Zangezur Corridor and emphasized Tehran's staunch opposition to it. 

"It is out of the question for Armenia to implement any project that violates its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or goes beyond its jurisdiction. We take into account the vital interests of our neighbors, and in the case of Iran, these interests largely coincide with Armenia's. We see no reason for concern," Sputnik Armenia quoted Rubinyan as saying.

The US State Department has highlighted the importance of the "Trump Route"

The topic of the "Trump Route" was also raised during U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Allison Hooker's visit to Baku. "The parties are interested in accelerating work on the 'Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity,' which will be implemented by the United States to ensure seamless connectivity between the mainland of Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic," reads a statement released by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry on November 19.

A similar statement was previously issued by the Armenian Foreign Ministry following Hooker's visit to Yerevan. "The parties discussed the progress of implementing the agreements reached in Washington on August 8. They exchanged views on the preparatory work required for the construction of the 'Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity' project. The importance of the latter in developing a network of transport and other communications routes across a wider geography was emphasized," the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a press release on November 17.

As a reminder, in early November, a shipment of Russian grain arrived in Armenia via Azerbaijan for the first time since the 1990s. The Armenian government noted that this fulfilled one of the agreements reached in the United States, which contributed to the strengthening of peace between Yerevan and Baku. This was achieved thanks to Azerbaijan  lifting restrictions  on cargo transit to Armenia.

The creation of the "Trump route" is outlined in paragraph 4 of the declaration signed in Washington on August 8. The full text of the documents signed during the meetings between Pashinyan, Aliyev, and Trump is available on the English version of the "Caucasian Knot."