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An abandoned station, several corroded railcars and a dozen metres of track are all that remains of former Soviet railroad in southern Armenia.

It may seem unlikely, this derelict stretch of track in the South Caucasus has been designated to become a symbol of peace brokered by the US president, referred to as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity.

Dispersed throughout are remains of a statue from a monument to a Soviet-era figure. A female statue is missing an arm.

"We are on the Trump route, also known as Peace Junction, the ancient trade route, and the regional passageway," notes Marut Vanyan. "But so far none of this appears Western."

Peace Negotiations

This constitutes a longstanding conflict the US president asserts to have successfully resolved, through an agreement between the Armenian government and its long-time enemy Azerbaijan.

The proposal outlines US companies establishing presence under a 99-year deal to develop the 26-mile corridor through Armenia's sovereign land along the complete frontier with Iran, creating a corridor linking Azerbaijan to its separated territory of Nakhchivan.

A railway, motorway and energy conduits have all been pledged and Trump has spoken of companies spending "significant funds, that will financially advantage the three participating countries".

At the site, the scale of the challenge is clear. This connectivity project will have to be built from scratch, but political hurdles far outweigh economic issues.

International Consequences

The American involvement might transform the geopolitics of an area that Moscow considers as its regional domain. Conservative factions in Iran express concern and are threatening to halt the initiative.

This peace initiative is key to ending a conflict between the two neighboring nations that started over Nagorno-Karabakh, a part of Azerbaijan with historical Armenian presence.

During 2023, Azerbaijan recaptured the contested area, and virtually the entire Armenian population were displaced. This was not the initial displacement in this conflict: in the 1990s over 500,000 Azerbaijanis were displaced.

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American diplomatic efforts were enabled because of Russia's weakened position in the South Caucasus.

For years, Russian authorities attempted towards re-opening the route that now bears an American president's name.

Although Russia's proposal for Russian security forces to guard the future road was declined, Russian units continue monitoring the section of the Armenia‑Iran border that has been chosen for the Trump route.

Armenia's Syunik region represents a key hub for its exports, and commercial vehicles and traders from Iran commonly appear. Persian engineering firms are building a new bridge that will intersect the planned corridor.

The Aras River that divides Iranian and Armenian territory represents the exact path the corridor will traverse.

It is unclear the manner in which American and Persian corporations will co-exist in Armenia, considering American participation in the Israel‑Iran war.

Regional Cooperation Prospects

There is also growing Western involvement in Armenia's southern territories.

French authorities initiated military equipment transfers to Yerevan and has opened diplomatic representation in Syunik. An EU monitoring mission is deployed to this area, and the future Trump route is seen by the EU as component of an alternative route connecting Europe to Asian markets and bypassing Russia.

Ankara shows interest to benefit from an opening created by diminished Moscow presence.

Turkish officials negotiate with Yerevan to establish diplomatic ties and has voiced support for Tripp, which would create a direct link from Turkey to Azerbaijan through the separated region.

Yerevan's administration shows composure about multiple international stakes. Authorities aspire for a "Crossroads of Peace" where all regional powers can collaborate.

"Officials claim conditions will improve and that we can expect billions of euros, new roads and commercial relations involving Iran, America, Europe, Turkey and Azerbaijan," the journalist comments with an incredulous smile.

A formal peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia has not yet been signed, but one thing is clear: since the Washington meeting, no gunfire has been fired on their shared frontier.

The presidential involvement has brought some immediate respite to those who for years have lived in fear of resumed hostilities.