President Donald Trump will host a “peace signing ceremony” between Azerbaijan and Armenia Friday at the White House.
He’ll aim to end a war the two nations have participated in for decades. The conflict stems from territorial disagreements over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region currently held by Azerbaijan but which contains ethnic Armenians who support Armenia’s conflict.
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The president will host Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev Friday in hopes to seal a peace deal.
“I look forward to hosting the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, at the White House tomorrow for a Historic Peace Summit,” the president said Thursday.
“These two Nations have been at War for many years, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people. Many Leaders have tried to end the War, with no success, until now, thanks to “TRUMP.” My Administration has been engaged with both sides for quite some time,” he added.
Trump also said the U.S. will benefit from the deal, signing bilateral agreements with both countries to pursue “economic opportunities together.” He said he felt “proud” of the leaders for making peace.
“It will be a Historic Day for Armenia, Azerbaijan, the United States, and, THE WORLD,” Trump concluded.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump pledged to make peace between the countries. Friday will be an opportunity for the president to fulfill the promise.
Azerbaijan conquered Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, driving ethnic Armenians out of the region before Russia stepped in to calm the violence. The two countries participated in multiple wars over the region before that in a conflict that dates back to 1988.
Both sides have expressed a desire to end the conflict. Azerbaijani officials are pressing the Armenian government to amend their constitution, which makes claims to ownership of Nagorno-Karabakh.
TRUMP HOPES ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN TALKS WILL BE ANOTHER NOTCH IN HIS PEACE-DEAL BELT
Trump will hope to add to his international peace resume Friday after touting deals between India and Pakistan, Cambodia and Thailand, Israel and Iran, and Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Cambodia recently nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, considering his efforts.