South Caucasus

On January 14, 2026, Armenia and the United States jointly announced the publication of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) Implementation Framework, representing a concrete follow-up to the August 8 agreements aimed at operationalizing the planned multimodal transit route across Armenian territory. The Framework outlines how TRIPP will be established to create unimpeded, multimodal transit connectivity linking Azerbaijan’s main territory with its Nakhichevan exclave, enhancing regional trade, stability, and integration while advancing sovereignty, territorial integrity, and reciprocal benefits. It sets out the objectives of TRIPP for all parties: for the U.S., expanded markets and critical supply-chain connectivity; for Armenia, an enhanced role as a transit and economic hub, foreign investment attraction, institutional capacity building, and expanded export potential; and for the region, peace, prosperity, and improved connectivity. Mariam Khurshudyan an expert at the Orbelli Centre in Yerevan looks at an eventful year in US-Armenian relations. She says that TRIPP represents a potentially meaningful step toward enhanced connectivity and cooperation, offering opportunities for economic development and regional engagement. At the same time, its long-term significance will depend on careful implementation, sustained political commitment, and the ability to manage regional sensitivities. In conclusion, Armenian diplomacy has succeeded in elevating what could have remained a narrowly bilateral or technical arrangement into a matter of broader international relevance. By anchoring the process in a multilateral context and engaging global partners, Yerevan positioned the initiative as part of a wider conversation on connectivity, stability, and economic cooperation in the South Caucasus and beyond. While the project’s ultimate impact will depend on implementation and regional dynamics, this diplomatic approach has modestly increased Armenia’s international engagement and contributed to a broader range of external partnerships.(Read her analysis in full by clicking the image).

The editorial team of commonspace.eu continues to provide a forum for informed discussion on Europe and its neighbourhood. This week, we welcome Armenian political personality, Dr. Stepan Grigoryan, who reflects on his early entry into Armenian politics under the Iron Curtain, his firsthand experience of its collapse, and his ongoing efforts to combat election interference and propaganda through social media. The results of Armenia’s parliamentary elections, expected to take place in June 2026, could either establish a path toward long-lasting diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan or risk derailing the peace process entirely, along with its hopes of deepening integration with Western political and economic spheres. Dr. Grigoryan warns of Kremlin conduits exploiting public anxieties of ongoing negotiations following the landmark peace agreement in August: “Rather than serving as a genuine national opposition… It is these political forces that disseminate fear and uncertainty within Armenian society regarding the ongoing peace process with Azerbaijan.” However, Stepan Grigoryan is optimistic. “I think the peace process with Azerbaijan will keep moving forward and Armenia will meet its goals with the EU, provided we don't face the kind of military force that Vladimir Solovyov has hinted at. (Read the full conversation with Dr. Grigoryan by clicking on the image).