For generations, diplomats considered the long-standing and acute conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia to be intractable. However, this approach changed after the return to power of US President Donald Trump.
Modern.az reports that this was stated in an article published in "Washington Examiner" by Steve Witkoff, the US President's special envoy.
Witkoff noted that thanks to Trump's "bold and visionary leadership," one year has passed since the signing of the Joint Declaration on Peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. According to him, this document put an end to more than 35 years of bloodshed.
Witkoff, who said he was honored to participate in advancing the peace agenda as the US President's special envoy, emphasized that Trump prioritized peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia by moving beyond previous limitations.
He stated that the US delegation's contact with Azerbaijan began with a visit to Baku in March 2025:
"From the first contact, it became clear that the US's relations with Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev were not given due attention."
Witkoff characterized Trump's foreign policy differently. According to him, the US President is ready for direct dialogue with any party to advance his country's interests, including achieving peace in long-term conflicts.
"This case was no exception," Witkoff wrote.
The US official praised Ilham Aliyev as a strong and determined leader ready to take difficult but necessary steps to achieve peace. According to him, the President of Azerbaijan understands both his country's interests and the broader agenda of regional stability.
Witkoff also characterized Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan as a pragmatic and courageous leader. He stated that Pashinyan is able to make sometimes unpopular but most correct decisions for the sake of his people's interests.
According to him, intensive negotiations were held in Baku and Yerevan over the next five months, which resulted in the need to approach the conflict from a different perspective.
Witkoff specifically noted Azerbaijan's need for unhindered access to Nakhchivan. According to him, this issue has long been considered a territorial dispute.
"It required new thinking, creative solutions, and most importantly, leadership, not another outdated formula," he emphasized.
According to the US official, this leadership was initially demonstrated by Trump, which opened a window of opportunity. This was followed by the TRIPP concept. This initiative envisages a US-Armenia partnership for the creation of unhindered multimodal transport routes through Armenia's territory, with full respect for its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Witkoff stated that Trump preferred practical results over demonstrative processes, and this approach proved successful.
According to him, the TRIPP concept is now internationally recognized as an example of resolving seemingly intractable disputes through creativity, strength, and mutual benefit, rather than endless negotiations.
Witkoff stated that the US has been working with Armenia and Azerbaijan over the past year towards the implementation of the TRIPP agreement.
"We expect TRIPP to pass through the Caspian Sea and this concept to develop in the Middle East as well," he noted.
The US President's special envoy believes that at a time when complex conflicts are occurring simultaneously in several regions, Trump has special opportunities to achieve peace and prosperity.
"Today, the South Caucasus is safer and more stable because Trump, Aliyev, and Pashinyan chose results, not rhetoric," Witkoff wrote.
