Vice President JD Vance made history Monday as the first sitting U.S. president or vice president to ever set foot in Armenia, signaling the Trump administration’s serious commitment to brokering peace in a region where previous administrations offered only empty rhetoric.
Story Highlights
- Vance’s visit marks the first time a sitting U.S. president or vice president has visited Armenia in history
- The Trump administration is actively mediating peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan through the “Board of Peace” initiative
- Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed optimism that peace is within reach after decades of conflict
- The proposed “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” could reshape regional trade and security dynamics
Historic Diplomatic Milestone Demonstrates Trump’s Peace Agenda
Vance arrived in Yerevan Monday following four days at the Winter Olympics in Milan with his family. The unprecedented visit underscores President Trump’s commitment to solving complex international conflicts through direct engagement rather than the passive diplomacy that characterized previous administrations. Vance met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who praised the Trump administration’s involvement and expressed gratitude toward both the president and vice president. Pashinyan stated they are “very close to that point, if not there yet, of no return” in pursuing lasting peace with Azerbaijan.
Trump’s Board of Peace Advances Regional Stability
The Trump administration has positioned both Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders on Trump’s “Board of Peace,” originally designed to oversee the Gaza ceasefire but expanded to address other regional conflicts. This approach demonstrates Trump’s preference for high-level engagement and economic incentives rather than military intervention or punitive measures that often fail to produce results. Vance praised Pashinyan as “a great friend of ours and a real ally in peace and development,” while emphasizing Armenia’s significance as “one of the oldest Christian cultures in the entire world.”
August 2025 White House Agreement Paves Path Forward
Prime Minister Pashinyan signed a deal at the White House in August 2025 intended to reopen key transportation routes with Azerbaijan, including commitments to sign a comprehensive peace treaty. Foreign ministers from both countries have initialed the treaty text, indicating preliminary approval, though formal signatures and parliamentary ratification remain pending. The agreement includes the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity,” a major transit corridor designed to connect Azerbaijan and its autonomous Nakhchivan exclave, which are separated by Armenian territory. This economic integration could create interdependencies that discourage future conflict.
Decades-Long Conflict Centers on Nagorno-Karabakh Dispute
Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in conflict for decades over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region claimed by both nations. The conflict has resulted in significant displacement of Armenian populations, creating humanitarian challenges that remain central to peace negotiations. While the Trump administration’s involvement brings renewed hope for resolution, the Armenian National Committee of America has expressed concern that previous statements supporting Armenian rights have not been accompanied by concrete policy actions such as UN Security Council resolutions or restrictions on U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan.
US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Armenia, becoming the first sitting vice president to visit the country, as the Trump administration pushes a US-brokered peace deal with Azerbaijan.https://t.co/rn4exO80Yr
— DW News (@dwnews) February 9, 2026
Vance was scheduled to travel to Azerbaijan on Tuesday following his Armenia visit, demonstrating a balanced diplomatic approach that treats both nations as legitimate partners in the peace process. A successful peace agreement would significantly enhance U.S. influence in the Caucasus region, potentially counterbalancing Russian and Iranian influence while establishing a model for Trump-led conflict resolution that prioritizes American interests and regional stability over globalist interventionism.
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Vance is in Armenia, a country no sitting U.S. president or vice president has visited before
Kamala Harris expresses support for Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians’ right to return
