Moscow ready to discuss Trump Route with Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Mikhail Kalugin, Director of the Fourth Department for CIS Countries at Russia’s Foreign Ministry, said Russia is ready to consult with Armenia on the Trump Route project and potential Russian involvement.

“We still need to examine the details of this Armenian-American initiative. We are ready to hold consultations with our Armenian partners to discuss both the parameters of the initiative and possible Russian participation,” Kalugin stated, adding that “there are all the necessary grounds for this,” RIA Novosti reports.

He noted that the segment in question is “essentially part of the route agreed upon within the trilateral working group framework.”

Kalugin also emphasized that the route would largely pass through the zone of responsibility of Russian border guards.

“The South Caucasus Railway, a subsidiary of Russian Railways, holds a concession to operate Armenia’s railway network. The Russian railway standard is used in the region. The route will mostly pass through our border guards’ zone of responsibility. One must also consider Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Clearly, our partners cannot proceed without Russia,” he concluded.

*In Washington, Armenian, Azerbaijani, and U.S. leaders—Nikol Pashinyan, Ilham Aliyev, and Donald Trump—officially agreed to launch the Trump Route.

“The route will enable Azerbaijan to reach Nakhichevan while fully respecting Armenia’s sovereignty. Armenia is also forming a unique partnership with the U.S. to develop the corridor. The agreement could be extended up to 99 years, with a promise to renew it for another 99 years. We expect major infrastructure development, and American companies are eager to enter these markets and invest heavily, bringing economic benefits to all three nations,” Trump stated.

On September 11, Nikol Pashinyan stated that the Armenian side granted the U.S. construction rights, not land on lease for 99 years.*