One of the important upcoming tasks is the implementation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project on the ground, which stems from the Armenian government’s “Crossroads of Peace” project and is one of the important practical results of the Washington peace summit on August 8, 2025. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday stated this at the National Assembly while presenting the upcoming five-year program of Armenia’s new government.

“The TRIP project, which will be implemented on the territory of the Republic of Armenia and on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, based on the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and jurisdiction, will put an end to the blockade of Armenia. The blockade of Armenia, by the way, has now been partially overcome, because since November 2025, the Azerbaijani railway—through the territory of Georgia—has been open for imports to Armenia and exports from Armenia. And the Akhalkalaki-Kars railway, as you know, was opened in May for exports from Armenia and imports to Armenia. Now, Turkey’s roads are also being opened for Armenia’s cars through the territory of Georgia. The TRIPP project, however, will not only open a direct Armenia-Azerbaijan railway link, including the connection between the western regions of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic including through the territory of Armenia, as well as the railway connection of the northern regions of Armenia with Syunik Province [of Armenia] through the territory of Nakhchivan, but will also integrate Armenia into the international railway network.

I would like to emphasize that the implementation of the [TRIPP] project will also open a railway connection between the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea through the territory of Iran, Nakhchivan, Armenia, and Georgia, which is an epoch-making change for Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia. Armenia will thus receive a railway connection with Iran.

I draw attention to the fact that the Persian Gulf-Black Sea railway has no direct connection with TRIPP; that is, it is not part of that project, its reopening will become one of the important related results of the regional de-blockade.

As for the TRIPP railway infrastructure itself, it is obvious that it will pass along the Nrnadzor-Agarak route, along the southern border of Armenia, along the Araks [River] bank, according to the railway project known to us all that existed in Soviet times. This railway will connect Armenia with Russia and Central Asia through the territory of Azerbaijan, and it is understandable that it will carry out huge cargo transportation, especially from east to west. These cargoes will inevitably pass through the TRIPP, via the Nrnadzor-Agarak railway.

(...). And now we see that international investors, being enthusiastic about the TRIPP project and having a great ‘appetite’ for investments, are looking for ways to bypass the Yeraskh-Akhurik railway section. They are looking for a scheme so that after cargo enters Nakhchivan via the Nrnadzor-Agarak railway, it continues its journey westward, not through Armenia’s railway, but bypasses Armenia’s railway.

This is a big problem for us [i.e. Armenia] because in such a scenario, Armenia loses large revenues, investments, potential jobs, and development opportunities. And why do investors, freight forwarders, sellers and buyers of goods want to avoid the Yeraskh-Akhurik railway? For a simple reason: that section of the railway, although fully owned by Armenia, is under the management of Russian Railways, and the complex relations between Russia and the West, the sanctions being applied to Russia, force international investors, freight forwarders, and trade participants to avoid, consider it a risk and not take risks, working with infrastructure that is directly or indirectly subject to sanctions restrictions or has such a risk. That is,, they consider that working with such infrastructures they take risks, especially if we take into account that the largest customers of freight transportation through TRIPP will be those countries that have imposed sanctions against Russia,” Pashinyan stated.

According to him, it is understandable that Armenia has no connection and influence in the sanctions being applied against Russia.

"It is clear that we [i.e. Armenia] also have no problem with the fact that Armenia’s railway is under the management of Russian Railways. This has not been a problem for us, and we have never addressed this topic. Moreover, I want to reiterate that the railway is the property of Armenia and is only under the management of Russian Railways, and we have no problem with this fact.

We have the greatest respect for the Russian Federation and its interests. But due to the fact that Armenia’s railway is under Russian management, we now face the risk of losing this historic opportunity to integrate Armenia into the international railway network. We cannot allow us to lose this historic opportunity. This is why we ask our partners in the Russian Federation to show flexibility and sell the concession [management] rights [of Armenia’s] to a third country acceptable to Armenia and Russia.

Moreover, I draw the attention of you all to the fact that in these circumstances, the course of construction of the Kars-Nakhchivan railway on the territory of Turkey has become more active. It is clear that we cannot prohibit or inhibit the construction of this railway and we must face the fact that the Yeraskh-Akhurik railway must compete with this railway. For this, we must bring Yeraskh-Akhurik to a good competitive state as quickly as possible and further ensure the high quality of services and competitive prices from the railway. (...).

Returning to the TRIPP project, let me emphasize that it will include not only the railway, but also pipelines, roads, cables, and power lines. It is highly likely that power lines will be the first infrastructure launched within the framework of TRIPP, because firstly, it is relatively easy to complete it quickly, and then, the growing demand for electricity in the world forces to pay more attention to projects for the export of electricity from the region.

Currently, the framework agreement on strategic cooperation between Armenia and the US on the TRIPP project is in the ratification phase. The work on the establishment of the TRIPP Development Company is in the final phase. Let me remind: Armenia will have a 26% share in that company, and the United States—a 74% share. This resolution will be in effect for at least 49 years, and after the end that period, if extended by mutual consent of the parties, for another 50 years. And in this case, Armenia’s share will become 49%, and the share of the United States of America—51% without additional financial or other investment from Armenia.

The [TRIPP] project will be implemented within the framework of the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and jurisdiction of the Republic of Armenia. And I would especially like to emphasize that TRIPP does not imply any foreign military or armed presence.

Before TRIPP, we [i.e. Armenia] have never had a 100-year project or perspective before us. This is a very important circumstance. We have never had a program, a project that opens up a 100-year perspective before us—and with the world’s number one superpower. And this is a historic opportunity for both Armenia and the region. The implementation of the TRIPP project will change the situation and atmosphere in our region. Making the communion beneficial for regional countries not only in the sociopsychological and political sense of the word,” added the Armenian premier.