US President Donald Trump announced in a post on the "TruthSocial" social media platform that his Vice President J.D. Vance would visit Azerbaijan and Armenia in February.
He stated that the US intends to strengthen its strategic partnership with Azerbaijan and sell American defense products to Baku, including armored apparel and boats.
Trump also mentioned an agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation with Armenia and contracts for American semiconductor companies.
Modern.az-a açıqlamasında politoloq Agshin Karimov stated that cooperation on security issues between Azerbaijan and the US is attracting particular attention at the current stage:
“Relations between Azerbaijan and the United States of America have undergone a cardinal change since Donald Trump assumed leadership of the White House administration for the second time. It is true that there was a basis for bilateral relations, and this basis covered several areas: energy security, security in the Caspian Sea, border security, etc. However, these issues are being updated during the Donald Trump administration. The Donald Trump administration is pursuing a broader strategy.
This strategy is that, in the eyes of the White House, the South Caucasus region is understood as a geopolitical space connected with Central Asia. On the other hand, Azerbaijan's strong leadership position is specifically noted by the United States of America. This is because Azerbaijan's exclusive capabilities, including its ability to create new realities, are one of the key points in relations for the United States.
The previous administration was unwilling to accept these realities. Or it carried out a series of activities and actions to restrict them. Donald Trump, however, is somewhat changing this policy, creating conditions for the emergence of newer and unique opportunities. And here, relations between Azerbaijan and the United States are entering a more specific phase. And cooperation on security issues is also attracting particular attention here.
Considering that the recent escalation of relations with Iran and the increasing complexities in the international arena in preparation for a new world order create an opportunity to elevate Azerbaijan-United States relations to an even more strategic level. Both Azerbaijan and the United States of America are considering this opportunity and jointly preparing a number of projects and strategic approaches. As a result, the Vice President of the United States will visit Azerbaijan.”
The political scientist noted that Vance's visit to Azerbaijan will allow for an examination of the dynamics of a wide spectrum of relations:
“At the same time, Azerbaijan's participation in reconstruction efforts in the Middle East and its contributions to security will also be of particular importance to the United States, and accompanied by this, Azerbaijan and the United States may reach a new agreement in the Middle East dynamics.
And this will not only cover the issue of Azerbaijan's membership in the Peace Council related to Gaza. We may witness new events that will be the beginning of processes transcending this issue. Therefore, the Vice President's visit will not primarily refer to a formal legal contractual basis of a formal nature and content in United States-Azerbaijan relations. This will allow for the marking of a broader strategic spectrum and dimensions.”
According to A. Karimov, this is a unique chance for Azerbaijan:
“As a result of President Ilham Aliyev's timely and correct policy, Azerbaijan's positions in the disintegrating world order are becoming favorable for a new stage. And President Ilham Aliyev's foreign policy is particularly noteworthy in this regard. Incidentally, I believe we should also seek an answer to the question, "Where do Russia-Azerbaijan relations stand here?"
Generally, Russia's geopolitical positions have somewhat weakened since it waged war in Ukraine. And Azerbaijan, by continuing cooperation with Russia at this stage, would have limited the framework of its foreign policy. In fact, yes, there is cooperation. Simply put, Russia's own precarious situation, coupled with its choice of a tough stance in relations with Azerbaijan, led to a series of moves by Azerbaijan, and these moves are justified. Therefore, relations with the United States are also an event that creates a balance against Russia's ambitions in the Caucasus.
As a result of these events, the United States of America's implementation of a project along the TRIPP route is particularly noteworthy. However, it should also be noted that Russia and the United States are also approaching agreements and deals. Against this backdrop, Azerbaijan may consider Russia's participation in the TRIPP route in the context of discussions with the United States. And Azerbaijan will have its say here as a key decision-making actor.
Therefore, Vance's visit signals a broad plan. And it will help in indexing wide-ranging, large-scale discussions and their outcomes.”
