Armenian security chief briefs Russian counterpart on Baku-Yerevan deals reached in Washington

The Secretaries of the Security Councils of Armenia and Russia—Armen Grigoryan and Sergey Shoigu—discussed the regional situation in a phone call, the Armenian Security Council’s press service has announced.

Grigoryan informed Shoigu about the agreements reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington, expressing hope that the establishment of peace would serve the interests of all countries in the region, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

The Armenian Security Council secretary also addressed the issue of unblocking regional communications and the resulting economic opportunities, emphasising their importance from the perspective of all countries’ interests.

In turn, Shoigu briefed Grigoryan on the outcomes of the meeting between the Presidents of Russia and the United States in Alaska.

The parties also discussed other issues on the Armenia-Russia agenda.

On August 8, 2025, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, with U.S. President Donald Trump’s mediation, signed a joint declaration in Washington to advance peace after nearly four decades of conflict over Karabakh. The agreement, while not a final peace treaty, commits both nations to cease hostilities, normalise relations, and open transport routes. It also dissolved the OSCE Minsk Group, previously co-chaired by Russia, the U.S., and France, marking a shift away from Russian influence.

A key component of the agreement is the establishment of a U.S.-operated transit corridor, named the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, connecting mainland Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenia’s Syunik region. The U.S. secured exclusive development rights for 99 years, with plans for rail, roads, pipelines, and fiber-optic lines. This corridor aims to enhance regional connectivity while respecting Armenian sovereignty, though it has sparked concerns from Iran and Russia about foreign influence.

By Khagan Isayev