This week saw the United States and Armenia unveil details of the “Trump Route” transit corridor connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave, Azerbaijan hand over four Armenian prisoners to Yerevan, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan report that fuel imports from Azerbaijan have driven down gasoline prices in Armenia.
US and Armenia announce details of Trump-Route Transit Corridor linking Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan
The United States and Armenia have revealed key details of the “Trump Route” (TRIPP), a U.S.-supervised transit corridor that will connect Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory. The agreement, announced after talks in Washington on January 13 between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, confirms that Armenia will grant long-term, exclusive rights to a U.S.-controlled company to manage the corridor. The TRIPP Development Company, jointly owned by the U.S. and Armenia, will build and operate railways, roads, energy lines, and other infrastructure along the route for at least 49 years, collecting the revenues generated.
Under the agreement, Armenia retains full sovereignty over border and customs operations along the corridor, even though technical and service functions can be handled by private operators. Armenian officials will be physically present at checkpoints and will oversee customs and immigration procedures. TRIPP is designed to allow trade and transit between Azerbaijan’s main territory and Nakhchivan with minimal direct contact between Armenian and Azerbaijani personnel, using modern electronic verification technologies to process people, vehicles, and goods.
The corridor has drawn attention from multiple sides. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev likened it to the previously requested “Zangezur Corridor,” while concerns have been raised in Tehran and among Armenian opposition groups about potential risks to Armenia’s southern border and sovereignty. Armenia plans to maintain a minority share in the TRIPP Development Company, with U.S. investment providing the majority stake, and the arrangement could be extended for another 50 years depending on investment returns. The corridor follows a strategic path along Armenia’s vital Iran border, highlighting both its economic and geopolitical significance.
Azerbaijan has handed over 4 Armenian prisoners to Armenia
On January 14, 2026, Azerbaijan handed over four Armenian prisoners to Armenia: Khachaturyan Vagif Cherkezi, Suzhyan Gevorg Rubenovich, Davtyan David Tigrani, and Euljektian Vigen Abraham. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that the prisoners were transferred via the Hakari Bridge and are now on Armenian territory. The Azerbaijani government described the move as a humanitarian gesture, stating that the prisoners underwent medical examinations, with most in normal condition, though Vagif Khachaturyan’s health was noted as less satisfactory.
The prisoners had been convicted of various serious crimes under Azerbaijani law. Vagif Khachaturyan was sentenced to 15 years for genocide and forced displacement, with witnesses testifying to his involvement in burning people alive and taking hostages. Vigen Abraham received a 20-year sentence for mercenary activity, terrorism, illegal arms trafficking, forming armed groups, and crossing state borders illegally. Davtyan David Tigrani and Suzhyan Gevorg Rubenovich were each sentenced to 15 years for espionage. While Abraham, Tigrani, and Rubenovich were detained in Shusha, Khachaturyan was arrested at the Lachin border while attempting to enter Armenia.
The prisoner transfer coincided with diplomatic activity between Azerbaijan and the United States. On January 4, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with a U.S. Congressional delegation in Baku to discuss the peace process with Armenia. He highlighted ongoing trade with Armenia, including oil exports and wheat transported via Azerbaijan. Aliyev also criticized Section 907 of the U.S. Freedom Support Act and expressed support for the Trump administration’s suspension of the provision.
Pashinyan: “Fuel imports from Azerbaijan lower gasoline prices in Armenia”
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that imports of fuel from Azerbaijan have led to a significant decrease in gasoline prices in Armenia. Fuel imports began in mid-December 2025, primarily consisting of premium-grade gasoline, which caused its minimum price to drop by about 15%, from 510 drams ($1.34) to 430 drams ($1.13) per liter. Diesel fuel and regular gasoline prices also fell, by roughly 2% and 8%, respectively, as a result of the new imports.
Pashinyan emphasized that the price reduction reflects the benefits of a peace agenda and the expansion of economic ties in the region. While some critics in Armenia view purchasing fuel from Azerbaijan as an investment in Azerbaijan, and critics in Azerbaijan suggest it could be used for military purposes, Pashinyan insisted these concerns are unfounded, highlighting the ongoing peace between the two countries.
The Prime Minister also noted that opposition to fuel imports is linked to the interests of companies that long held monopolies in Armenia’s fuel market. The new competition forces prices down, weakening these monopolies and ultimately benefiting Armenian consumers. Pashinyan highlighted that the economic advantages of regional cooperation are becoming increasingly clear and urged the public to appreciate the benefits of broader peace and trade initiatives.
