Russia awaits clarity before taking stance on Trump Route project in Armenia

The Russian Ambassador to Armenia has said that Moscow will express its stance on the Trump Route (TRIPP) project once details of its implementation are known.

In an interview with the local Armenian newspaper Syunyats Yerkir, Ambassador Sergey Kopyrkin stated that “strengthening peace and stability” in the South Caucasus is Russia’s “foreign policy priority,” and that Moscow supports any step aimed at Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization.

“Regarding the so-called Trump Route, Russia will articulate its position once we have a detailed understanding of how that transport project will be implemented. As far as we know, that work is only just beginning. The modes of cargo shipment and passenger transportation, as well as details concerning the security of traffic, are yet to be finalized. Efforts to unblock regional transport links will need to take into account Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as the presence of Russian border guards on the Armenian-Iranian border under bilateral agreements. I would like to add that the Russian side is open to consultations on these issues — both with our Armenian partners and with other stakeholders, including Tehran,” the ambassador said.

He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally “laid the foundation” for the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization process.

“The trilateral agreements signed between the leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in 2020–2022 not only stopped the bloodshed on the ground, but also outlined the main directions for normalization between Yerevan and Baku — including the development of a peace treaty, the unblocking of economic and transport links, border delimitation and demarcation, as well as the promotion of civil society contacts,” Kopyrkin said.

The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is a connectivity project in Armenia envisioned under the U.S.-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani joint declaration signed in Washington, D.C.