On August 8, 2025, the world witnessed an event that just a few years ago would have seemed impossible: at the White House, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed an agreement to permanently end their decades-long armed conflict. The signing took place in the presence of Donald Trump, who assumed the role of mediator and organizer of the summit, calling it “a turning point for peace in the Caucasus.”
For the first time in years, the leaders of the two countries — Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev — shook hands without the usual diplomatic tension. Aliyev, speaking to the press, called the day “historic” and thanked Trump for “bringing peace to a region that for generations had known only wars and ceasefires.” Pashinyan, in turn, noted that the agreement “opens a new page in the history of both nations” and allows future generations to “live without the fear of shelling or blockade.”
The central element of the agreement is a transport corridor connecting mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave, Nakhchivan, through Armenian territory. The route, symbolically named the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, will be administered by the United States. According to the White House, this arrangement ensures uninterrupted passage while preserving Armenia’s full sovereignty.
Beyond transportation issues, the parties, with U.S. mediation, signed a series of agreements on cooperation in energy, trade, technology, and security. For a region whose economic ties had been shattered by decades of war, this opens up prospects for large-scale reconstruction and integration into global supply chains.
The roots of the conflict trace back to the late 1980s, when the struggle over Nagorno-Karabakh led to bloody battles and mass displacement. The last major flare-up ended in 2023, when Azerbaijan regained control over Karabakh. While some technical details of the new agreement — including security and administration of the corridor — still require fine-tuning, the ceremony in Washington has already become a symbol of a rare diplomatic victory in a world where too often, weapons speak louder than words.
This day will be remembered as the moment when two South Caucasus nations stepped away from a past marked by pain and mutual grievances toward a future where borders can serve not as frontlines, but as roads for cooperation. And although the path to full reconciliation may be long, today it has truly begun.
Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict and Peace Timeline
Hover over points for details. Toggle datasets in the legend to focus on specific event types.
A timeline showing the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan (1988–2025). Red dots show conflicts (1988, 1991, 1994, 2020, 2023); blue dots indicate peace efforts (1992, 2020, 2024, 2025). The green line indicates the 2025 White House peace agreement. Hover over the dots to see event details; click on the legend to switch between data sets.
