Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 11-15 August, 2025

● During his visit to the United States, President Ilham Aliyev gave an interview to Fox News, where he spoke about relations with Russia, including the tragedy of December 25 last year, when Russian air defenses shot down an Azerbaijani passenger plane approaching the city of Grozny. “Azerbaijan does not consider this an intentional attack. We only demanded acknowledgment of the incident, punishment of those responsible, and full compensation,” said Ilham Aliyev.

The incident occurred during an attack by Ukrainian drones on Grozny airport. The damaged plane was redirected to Kazakhstan but crashed near Aktau airport. Of the 67 people on board, 38 died. Read more here

● Finland, as the current OSCE chair, will lead discussions with member states in response to a joint appeal by Azerbaijan and Armenia to dissolve the Minsk Group, which had facilitated the peace process on the Karabakh conflict since the early 1990s. “We welcome the August 8 agreements signed in Washington, congratulate Armenia and Azerbaijan on this achievement, and highly value the role of the U.S. administration in facilitating the process,” said an OSCE representative. Alongside the three co-chair countries — the U.S., Russia, and France — the group includes Belarus, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Finland, and Sweden, as well as Azerbaijan and Armenia.

● European Council President António Costa announced that he had phone conversations with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia regarding the “historic initialing of the peace agreement and the establishment of interstate relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.” “This marks a significant step forward toward lasting peace — both for the two countries and for the region. The EU remains committed to supporting the implementation of the signed agreements, strengthening regional connectivity, and helping communities overcome years of conflict to move toward lasting peace, stability, and prosperity,” Costa wrote on X.

● The Azerbaijani Navy conducted live-fire military exercises in the Caspian Sea (video). The drills focused on “protection and defense of offshore energy infrastructure and deployment of forces in extreme situations.” The Caspian Sea borders five countries: Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. Azerbaijani media noted that the drills took place amid heightened tensions with Russia.

● Representatives of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan discussed the status of the Azerbaijan–Central Asia Green Energy Corridor via the Caspian Sea. A practical step toward the project’s implementation was the establishment of the joint venture Yaşıl Dəhliz Birliyi on July 1. The power cable will be part of a broader project to build an energy bridge from Central Asia through the Black and Caspian Seas to Europe to transport green energy.

● The court refused to place under house arrest the bodyguard of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Chairman Ali Karimli. The detainee, Novruz Taghiyev, stated in court that the fraud charges against him were fabricated and that he is being punished “not for committing a crime, but for his political views.” His lawyer stressed that Taghiyev has been in custody for almost three months without any active investigative actions being taken, according to Radio Liberty’s Azerbaijani service.

● The trial of a group of former leaders of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) continued. They are accused of war crimes, terrorism, attempts to overthrow state power, and other serious offenses. According to the state news agency AZERTAC, victims of attacks by Armenian armed forces and people subjected to torture in captivity testified at the hearing. Dozens of people spoke about the violence they experienced and the killing or torture of their relatives during the First Karabakh War in the early 1990s and the Second Karabakh War in 2020. The trial continues today, August 15.

● Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in an interview with Fox News, commented on the agreements reached with the President of Azerbaijan during the Washington meeting last Friday. “It is impossible to change everything in one day, or even in a week, a month, or a year. But there is one very important fact. We both — I mean President Aliyev and myself — want to change this entire situation. We want to change the nature of relations between our countries,” he said.

● Following the Armenia–Azerbaijan talks mediated by Trump, Iran expressed concerns over U.S. involvement in unblocking regional communications. For several days, Armenian authorities have been trying to explain to their Iranian partners that their interests have been taken into account. Iran is worried about the possible presence of Americans near its border — on a road that would connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory. Yerevan and Baku accepted Washington’s proposal to involve an American company in the reopening of transport links, while preserving the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the participating states. The project has already been named the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) after the mediator. Since last Friday, a series of phone calls has taken place between the leaders of Armenia and Iran, as well as talks between foreign ministers. In addition, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan traveled to Tehran to further explain the situation to the Iranian leadership.

The Armenian deputy foreign minister also gave an interview to Iran’s IRNA news agency, revealing important details previously unknown even to the Armenian public. “The plan is to register a company in Armenia whose shares will be split between Armenia and the United States, but this does not mean a U.S. security presence in the region. We know that was Iran’s main concern. The U.S. share in the company registered in Armenia will benefit the United States, give Iran access to the Black Sea, and allow us to connect with Russia via the Azerbaijani railway. We hope that this economic interconnection will become a bridge for cooperation, not an obstacle to it. Relations with Iran are of strategic importance to us and will never be the subject of any geopolitical deal,” Kostanyan stated.

● Armenia’s opposition continues to claim that the Washington meeting amounted to a “capitulation” for Armenia and that the decisions taken pose a threat to its existence. Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs Sargis Khandanyan responded: “The opposition is right that this is an existential threat — but not for Armenia, for them. And their comments should be viewed in this context, because the opposition’s only hope for survival was the continuation of the conflict. They cannot imagine Armenia as a sovereign, democratic, and independent state.” Many in and outside Armenia view the current opposition as pro-Russian.

● Khandanyan also commented on reopening communications with Azerbaijan: “I do not rule out the possibility of trade resuming between Armenians and Azerbaijanis, as it was in Soviet times. One day we will travel to Azerbaijan for our affairs, and Azerbaijani citizens — politicians and journalists — will come to Armenia for theirs,” he told reporters.

● Armenian Telegram channels report that “Azerbaijan has begun dismantling organizations linked to the so-called ‘Western Azerbaijan.’” They cite Azerbaijani media (Time TV, The Azeri Times, HamamTimes’s Post), which report that the head of the “Western Azerbaijan” community, MP Aziz Alekberli, “received the relevant instruction from the presidential administration.” “Western Azerbaijan” refers to much of Armenia’s territory where Azerbaijanis historically lived. Over the past two years, Azerbaijan has actively pushed the issue of “returning Azerbaijanis to their historical homeland.” Armenian authorities have called this an encroachment on their sovereign territory.

The peace agreement initialed during the Washington meeting includes a provision stating that both sides “have no territorial claims against each other and will not make such claims in the future.” Political analyst Areg Kochinyan told JAMnews that Azerbaijan should abandon the “Western Azerbaijan” narrative, as it is stipulated in the peace agreement. More on this and other provisions of the agreement — here.

● U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien visited the agricultural holding “Spayka” (pictured). She discussed strengthening economic ties between the U.S. and Armenia, and the dynamics of bilateral trade and investment cooperation with the company’s founder, Davit Kazaryan. “Spayka” is also engaged in logistics and international transportation and recently took part in the “SelectUSA” investment summit in Washington.

● The Armenian government has approved a draft law on cybersecurity and sent it to parliament. It stipulates that all state agencies and private companies managing important strategic facilities and infrastructure will be required to ensure information security in line with international standards. An expert commission under the government will also be established to prevent and respond to cyberattacks.

● The Anti-Corruption Committee announced the arrest of 15 people on charges of obtaining driver’s licenses through bribes. Among those arrested is the head of the registration and investigation department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Tavush Province.

● “All tickets for the Armenia–Portugal World Cup qualifying match, to be held on September 6 in Yerevan, have been completely sold out,” the Football Federation announced. Tickets went on sale online yesterday morning, with each fan allowed to purchase only two tickets. Despite a temporary crash of the electronic system due to high demand, by the evening all tickets were gone.

● Belarusian actor Alexander Zhdanovich (Malyavanych) was denied entry to Georgia. He had previously lived in the country for more than two years after emigrating due to political persecution. In the summer of 2024, he moved to Poland.

● A large rally was held in Tbilisi in support of Mzia Amaglobeli, the director of the popular publications Netgazeti and Batumelebi, who was sentenced to two years in prison on charges of assaulting a police officer. “She was accused of something she did not do, labeled an agent, and accused of taking bribes. In other words, they told us they were making an example of Mzia to intimidate others. But in reality, they failed to intimidate Mzia, independent media, or other political prisoners,” said the participants of the rally.

● Former U.S. President Joe Biden’s aide Michael Carpenter stated, “Georgia is going through difficult times. Repressive laws are destroying the civil sector, and the authoritarian style of governance blocks the country’s path to European integration. A historic agreement was signed in Washington without Georgia’s participation, signaling a weakening of Georgia’s role in the region.” Here is the full comment.

● In Tbilisi, a request for bail for poet Zviad Ratiani, accused of assaulting a police officer by punching him in the face, was denied. The judge cited a “risk of committing another crime and influencing witnesses.” On June 25, the prosecution formally charged Ratiani, who faces 4 to 7 years in prison.

● Registration of political parties for the local government elections scheduled for October 4 has been completed. A total of 14 parties have registered, including two active opposition parties: “Strong Georgia–Lelo” (9) and “Gakharia for Georgia” (25). The remaining parties are seen as satellites of the ruling “Georgian Dream.” Most of the current opposition—8 parties in total—have announced a boycott of these elections, stating that new, free parliamentary elections must be held first.

● Starting December 2, a new route from Kutaisi International Airport to Venice will open. Wizz Air will operate flights twice a week, and tickets are already available on the airline’s website.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will not attend the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council of the Eurasian Economic Union (led by Russia) in Kyrgyzstan tomorrow, August 15, as he is on vacation. His press secretary announced that Armenia will be represented by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.

● Members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement titled “On Significant Progress in the Normalization Process between Armenia and Azerbaijan Achieved at the Leaders’ Meeting in Washington on August 8, 2025.” They welcomed the initialing of a peace agreement and a joint declaration on further steps toward peace. “The political agreement to unblock communications between the two countries… based on respect for the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the states, as announced in the joint leaders’ declaration, represents a major breakthrough. We note Armenia’s intention to cooperate with the United States and third parties… in the development and management of a route through southern Armenia and welcome the U.S. intention to provide investment,” the statement said.

The European lawmakers also urged the Turkish government “to support these positive developments by reciprocating Armenia’s readiness to normalize relations and open the Armenia–Turkey border.”

● U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan also signed bilateral economic agreements with the United States in Washington. According to her, these agreements “will unlock the vast potential of the South Caucasus in trade, transit, energy, infrastructure, and technology, as well as create new opportunities for the American people and American business.”

● Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan met in Tehran with Ali Akbar Velayati, adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader on international affairs (pictured below). Iranian sources report they “discussed the future of the South Caucasus.” Velayati stressed that the fate of the region should be determined only by the countries of the region. The presence of external actors, he said, creates tension and is unacceptable for Iran. “We closely monitor any changes near our borders, and if any action threatens national security, it will receive an appropriate response,” the Iranian politician said.

Concerns in Iran are linked to the decision to create the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) through Armenian territory to connect Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan. Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders agreed to unblock the road with the participation of an Armenian–American consortium. Kostanyan reaffirmed his readiness to continue dialogue and cooperation to maintain regional stability. “Friendship between Iran and Armenia will remain strong, and we will not allow harm to these relations,” he said.

● Kostanyan also met in Tehran with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, assuring him that the process of unblocking communications will be carried out in compliance with the principles of territorial integrity, jurisdiction, and reciprocity of the states.

● Russian Foreign Ministry Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Press Alexey Fadeev criticized the Armenia–Azerbaijan agreements reached in Washington, especially the “Trump Route.” “In the context of the South Caucasus settlement, forces outside the region should contribute to strengthening the peace agenda, not creating new dividing lines. The presence of Russian border guards should be taken into account when unblocking transport routes through the Syunik region,” Fadeev said.

Russian border guards have been protecting Armenia’s state border with Iran and Turkey under an interstate agreement since 1992. Over the past year, Armenia has reduced the Russian presence on its borders. Armenian border guards have taken over protection of the entire state border with Iran and Turkey. This arrangement was agreed upon during a Pashinyan–Putin meeting in October 2024.

● The Prime Minister’s Office clarified the dates of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s official visit to Armenia. He will be in Armenia on August 18–19. Earlier, Armenian media reported that he would be in Yerevan from August 18 to 21.

● Flights to Europe will be operated from Shirak Airport in Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city. This was announced by Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan. “We already have an agreement with a specific airline. As part of a state subsidy program, flights will be organized on this new route, which will provide an additional influx [of tourists] and economic activity for the city of Gyumri and the Shirak region,” the minister said.

● Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan announced on social media that the court had ruled in his favor in a defamation lawsuit against opposition politician Edgar Kazaryan. The court ordered Kazaryan to “publicly retract defamatory information” on Facebook or in a printed publication within a week of the verdict coming into force, and to pay the plaintiff 500,000 drams ($1,300) in compensation. The defendant must also pay 150,000 drams (about $400) in attorney’s fees. Simonyan had filed the lawsuit over a video posted on Kazaryan’s Facebook page in September 2023 that described alleged details of the personal lives of Simonyan and other ruling Civil Contract party MPs.

● Plans are underway to build a waste recycling plant in Yerevan. This is not the first attempt: since the late 1990s, the authorities have announced similar plans, previously involving foreign companies. Now, a public–private partnership is planned. The city has already announced a tender to select the winning organization. Project timelines are not yet known.

● “Article 9 of the agreement ‘On the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia,’ initialed in Washington, obliges both sides to take measures to address the issue of missing persons and enforced disappearances related to the military conflict, including the exchange of all available information about these individuals. This provision clearly shows that Azerbaijan has the right to receive information held by Armenia,” said Milli Majlis deputy Nurlan Hasanov. He emphasized that this clause also provides “the possibility of an objective investigation of events and punishment of those guilty of crimes committed during the conflict.”

● “The European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMA) may be withdrawn from Armenian territory ahead of schedule. According to Article 7 of the peace agreement initialed in Washington, the parties must not deploy the armed forces of third countries along their shared border,” said Farid Shafiyev, head of the Center for Analysis of International Relations. However, he noted that this would apply only after the agreement enters into force. The parties have not yet signed it, but only initialed it.

● “Russia intends to study the details of the ‘Trump Route’ project. The involvement of extra-regional forces in the South Caucasus should help advance the peace agenda rather than create new problems and new dividing lines,” said Russian Foreign Ministry Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Press Alexey Fadeev.

The “Trump Route” — Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) — is a road from Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory. A 40 km section on Armenian territory will be managed by a joint U.S.–Armenian company, under an agreement reached in Washington with the participation of President Donald Trump.

Fadeev said that when making decisions on unblocking transport communications in the region, a number of factors must be taken into account. Among them, he highlighted Armenia’s membership in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union and the presence of Russian border guards in Armenia’s Syunik province.

● “Moscow is working with Baku on options for the early release of Russians detained in Azerbaijan and their return home. Such a decision would be an important step in the process of stabilizing interstate relations between Russia and Azerbaijan,” said Alexey Fadeev. Baku has not yet commented on this statement.

● The Foreign Affairs Committee of the upper chamber of the Swiss parliament rejected a draft resolution titled “Annexation of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Release of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan,” submitted on November 5, 2024, by several deputies from the Geneva canton. In its statement, the committee said the initiative was one-sided, contained demands solely on the Azerbaijani side, and expressed its protest against such an approach, according to the pro-government outlet Report.

● Political analyst Bakhruz Samedov, sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of high treason, is demanding that his trial be open to the public and attended by his friends. His grandmother, Zibeyda Osmanova, told the Azerbaijani service of Radio Liberty that the court had denied this request, along with almost 20 others. The appeal hearing will continue on August 20.

● Azerbaijan has sent another batch of humanitarian aid to Ukraine to restore electricity, under a new presidential order dated August 11. The shipment included about 90,000 meters of electric cables and wires, as well as 25 generators and 7 sets of transformers. The next batch of aid, worth a total of $2 million and organized in response to Ukraine’s requests, is expected to be sent in the coming days. The total humanitarian assistance provided by Azerbaijan to Ukraine, including aid for reconstruction, has already exceeded $44 million.

● In Russia, Georgian opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili was convicted in absentia of participating in an armed conflict as a mercenary and sentenced to six years in a high-security prison. According to the court, in March 2022, Elisashvili joined an armed group in Ukraine, underwent military training, and received weapons and ammunition. “For monetary reward, he followed orders from the Ukrainian command and took part in combat operations against Russia,” the court ruling states. Moscow has placed Elisashvili on the international wanted list. The photo below shows him during his participation in hostilities on Ukraine’s side against Russian aggression.

● Renowned Georgian scholar, Hellenist, and academician Rismag Gordeziani has died at the age of 85. He was the author of books including Introduction to Classical Philology, The Wisdom of Myths, Greek Literature, Ancient and Modern Greek Language, and Pre-Greek and Georgian Languages.

● The Tbilisi City Hall’s Municipal Services Development Agency has refused to comply with the Public Defender’s recommendation to review the dismissal of former employee Nana Bregvadze, a person with disabilities. Tamar Gvaramadze from the Ombudsman’s office said that on August 13 the City Hall formally rejected the request. The case is part of a broader wave of mass dismissals of civil servants who took part in pro-European protests that have been ongoing for over eight months.

● The OSCE will not observe the October 4 local elections in Georgia because it did not receive an invitation from the authorities, the organization told Formula TV.

● Davit Jincharadze, a member of the Freedom Square party, together with Georgian emigrants, sent an open letter to UK Members of Parliament, describing “more than 60 political prisoners, repression, the kidnapping of businessman Giorgi Bachiashvili, the arrest of opposition leaders, and restrictions on media freedom.” Jincharadze said the letter urges the UK government to raise the issue in Parliament, impose sanctions, and increase financial support for civil society in Georgia.

● The U.S. State Department has released its 2024 Human Rights Report on Georgia. Among key developments, it highlights the adoption of the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, which, according to respected NGOs, “is used to restrict freedom of expression and association.” The report also discusses the new Law on Family Values and Protection of Minors, noting that it “criminalizes certain forms of expression.” Read more here

● Activist Zviad Maisashvili, who was brutally beaten by special forces during a pro-European protest, has been granted victim status — eight months after the incident. “Georgian Dream uses law enforcement agencies to stay in power. That’s why they don’t punish anyone from these structures. The perpetrators knew from the start they would be protected and their identities concealed, so they acted with such inhuman cruelty,” Maisashvili told Pirveli TV.

On November 30, a video was published on social media showing Interior Ministry officers using physical violence against Maisashvili during the dispersal of a rally. This footage shows a special forces officer kicking the protester in the face.

Here are the stories of protesters who were brutally beaten by special forces and police.

● In Georgia, 12 Turkish citizens wanted by Interpol have been detained. According to the Interior Ministry, among them are suspects in 178 episodes of aggravated intentional murder, including the killing of a minor, attempted murder, robbery, intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm, drug-related crimes, and other offenses.

● President Donald Trump has again posted on his social network Truth Social a video about the August 8 meeting with Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan at the White House. “It was a great honor for me to be alongside Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev when we signed a peace agreement after decades of war and death. These are two wonderful people and great leaders. They are now my good friends!” reads the caption accompanying the video.

At the historic meeting in Washington, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump, signed a joint declaration. It contains seven points underscoring the parties’ commitment to peace. The document notes that the parties initialed a previously agreed text of an agreement on establishing peace and restoring relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as confirmed the importance of unblocking communications. More here

● “The declaration signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia is very important to the American president. And the whole world knows that President Donald Trump should be taken seriously,” said U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce at a press conference. She was responding to a question on what actions Washington would take if anyone tried to block the implementation of the “Trump Route” — a transit corridor from Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenia. She emphasized that previous mediation efforts by the EU, France, Russia, and former U.S. President Joe Biden in the Baku–Yerevan peace process had failed, but only Trump achieved real results. “The peace declaration between Baku and Yerevan showed that Trump is the president of peace,” Bruce said.

The “Trump Route” provides that management of the 40 km road on Armenian territory will be carried out by a joint U.S.-Armenian company. More here.

● Tammy Bruce also stated that the new Azerbaijan–Armenia agreements with the U.S. “will unlock significant potential in the South Caucasus in trade, transit, energy, infrastructure, and technology, including new opportunities for Americans and American companies.”

● The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia held a phone conversation to discuss the implementation of the joint peace declaration signed at the Washington summit, as well as trust-building measures. They once again confirmed their readiness to continue direct dialogue, according to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry press release.

● UN Under-Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the signing of a peace intentions agreement with Armenia. “This is an important message to the international community that dialogue and diplomacy remain the most powerful tools for resolving even the most difficult problems,” the letter states.

● NATO Assistant Secretary General Boris Ruge met with the Azerbaijani and Armenian representatives to the Alliance. “On behalf of NATO, I congratulated the ambassadors of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the historic meeting organized by the U.S. government in Washington. NATO welcomes this progress and will continue to work closely with both Armenia and Azerbaijan to develop our partnership and promote regional security,” Ruge wrote on X.

● “Azerbaijan is committed to its partnership with NATO and is determined to contribute to international peace and security within the framework of the Partnership for Peace program,” reads a post on X from Azerbaijan’s mission to NATO.

● “Russia has shifted to a policy of multidimensional sabotage against Azerbaijan,” said Mykhailo Honchar, president of the Ukrainian think tank Strategy XXI, commenting on Russian missile strikes on facilities of Azerbaijan’s state-owned SOCAR company in Ukraine. Azerbaijan is expanding its presence in the EU gas market, and Moscow can do nothing to counter it, so it is resorting to “acts of revenge out of impotence,” the analyst said. “Russia cannot act directly because it is not that strong, has little influence in the South Caucasus, and does not want to spoil relations with Turkey. But the Kremlin knows how to cause petty harm,” Honchar added. “Azerbaijan is currently in a strong position because interest in its energy resources is only growing, including from U.S. companies. U.S. firm ExxonMobil is showing interest in Azerbaijan’s as-yet undeveloped Karabakh gas field in the Caspian Sea. Therefore, I believe Azerbaijan will be able to withstand the pressure,” the political analyst said.

● The Court of Appeal has rejected requests from journalists convicted in the “AbzasMedia case,” including to be transferred from Umbaki prison to the Baku pretrial detention center. The hearing took place in a tense atmosphere. Female journalists were held in one glass booth, men in another. During lawyers’ and the judge’s statements, the women said they could not hear well because the booth was located far away. The judge warned them they would be removed for disrupting proceedings. They replied they would leave voluntarily and not participate in the next session. Eventually, they were forcibly removed, scuffles broke out, and many parents also left the courtroom. Representatives of Western embassies in Azerbaijan observed the events. The trial was postponed until August 26.

The verdict in the case was delivered on June 20 this year. RFE/RL journalist and economist Farid Mehralizade, AbzasMedia director Ulvi Hasanli, editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi, and investigative journalist Hafiz Babaly were sentenced to nine years in prison. Journalists Elnara Gasimova and Nargiz Absalamova were sentenced to eight years, and staff member Magomed Kekalov to seven years and six months. They were charged under eight articles, including smuggling and various financial crimes. All defendants deny the charges, saying their arrests were politically motivated due to investigations into corruption. The arrests in the AbzasMedia case began on November 20, 2023.

● Georgia and Turkey intend to expand cooperation in the defense industry and military sphere, as well as increase bilateral trade from $3 billion to $5 billion annually. This was agreed upon during a meeting in Ankara between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Georgian counterpart Mikheil Kavelashvili. It was also reported that a trilateral meeting with Azerbaijan at the level of parliamentary speakers is planned. “The Azerbaijan–Turkey–Georgia mechanism plays an important role in regional processes,” Erdoğan said at a joint press conference with Kavelashvili. He also stated: “I want to once again reaffirm our unwavering support for Georgia’s territorial integrity.”

● The government of Kazakhstan has allocated 305 million tenge (about $560,000) from its reserve to study the problems of the Caspian Sea.

● The U.S. President posted photos on Truth Social with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, writing: “It was a great honor for me to be alongside Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev when we signed [initialed] the peace agreement after decades of war and death. These are two wonderful people and great leaders. They are now my good friends,” Donald Trump wrote.

● Russian ultranationalist Alexander Dugin, considered an ideologue of modern Russian politics, called the Washington talks between the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders “an insult and a slap in the face to every Russian.” “This is our humiliation. We lost. We made a mistake by entrusting work with Armenia and Azerbaijan to absolutely the wrong people. There is no other explanation. There must be a clear punishment for those who led our country to such an outcome in foreign policy in our near abroad. It is time to deal with those responsible for this direction, with the diasporas, and with the external lobbyists of our failure. Either we are an empire, a sovereign civilization-state, or we deserve everything we saw in Washington,” Dugin said.

● Immediately after the publication of the peace treaty initialed in Washington with Azerbaijan, discussions began in Armenia about its provisions. Political analyst Areg Kochinyan told JAMnews that Baku will now have to “abandon the thesis of ‘Western Azerbaijan,’ as this is precisely what the peace agreement implies.” He referred to Article 2 of the document, which states: “The parties confirm that they have no territorial claims against each other and will not make such claims in the future.”

Over the past two years, Azerbaijan has been promoting the narrative of “Western Azerbaijan,” which refers to almost the entire territory of Armenia. Azerbaijani authorities periodically raise the issue of “returning Azerbaijanis to this historical homeland.” The Armenian Prime Minister has repeatedly stated that he considers the “Western Azerbaijan” thesis an encroachment on Armenia’s territorial integrity. “Western Azerbaijan is only the western regions of Azerbaijan. There can be no Western Azerbaijan on the territory of Armenia,” he has said. Analysis of other provisions of the peace agreement — here.

● Telephone conversations continue between the Armenian Prime Minister and foreign partners, in which he presents the results of the U.S. trilateral meeting. He held talks with European Council President António Costa. Pashinyan stressed that the establishment of peace opens up new investment opportunities for expanding Armenia–EU cooperation. Bilateral issues with the EU and the organization of the next European Political Community summit, to be held in Armenia in 2026, were discussed.

● Armenia’s opposition continues to accuse the Prime Minister of failing the August 8 U.S. talks with the Azerbaijani President. Opposition members believe he agreed to “legitimize ethnic cleansing and genocide” of Karabakh Armenians, as well as to provide a “corridor” through Armenian territory connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave. The authorities respond that the road will be under Armenia’s sovereign control, as stated in the declaration following the Washington talks. However, the opposition distrusts the government’s statements and sees a hidden agenda in the published document, urging the public to prevent “further concessions” and the retention of Pashinyan’s power.

● Former Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan commented on the Armenian-Azerbaijani declaration signed in Washington. He noted the authorities’ enthusiasm and the opposition’s negative reaction. “I will refrain from commenting for now, as I consider it possible to discuss the agreement only after it actually enters into force. I am concerned by the differences in assessments from friendly Iranian officials and the almost complete silence from Russia. Iranian diplomacy is so subtle that sometimes it is difficult to understand immediately,” he said.

● Joint Armenian-American military exercises “Eagle Partner-2025” (pictured) have begun. They will continue until August 20. The exercises involve servicemen from the Armenian Armed Forces peacekeeping brigade, U.S. Army Europe and Africa, and the Kansas National Guard. Participants will train for peacekeeping missions, with special attention this time to medical evacuation. The goal is to improve coordination among units participating in international peacekeeping missions, exchange experience, and enhance the readiness of Armenia’s peacekeeping unit.

● Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will visit Armenia from August 18 to 21. On August 19, he will attend a joint business forum with Armenian and Iranian entrepreneurs working in road construction, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and light industry.

● A telephone conversation took place between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov discussed the implementation of the joint declaration signed following the Washington summit, as well as measures to build trust. The ministers exchanged views on regional issues and confirmed their readiness to continue direct dialogue,” the official statement said.

● Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan thanked his Georgian partners “for their support at this historic moment.” In a phone call with Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili, he presented the results of the Washington meeting. The colleagues discussed new opportunities for regional cooperation and strengthening peace.

● “One hundred children from families relocated from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia left for Hungary, where they will spend a week at a summer camp,” local media reported. They are accompanied by social workers, psychologists, and teachers. The program is being implemented jointly by the governments of Armenia and Hungary. In total, 1,000 displaced children will attend the summer camp.

● Day 258 of continuous pro-European protests in Georgia, demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of detained protesters. Large rallies with Georgian and EU flags took place on Tuesday evening in Tbilisi and Batumi (photo).

● The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that police arrested three people in the case of businessman Levan Jangveladze’s murder, while two others were charged in absentia as they are abroad. Tbilisi Police Department head Vazha Siradze said at a briefing that two brothers (local media named them as David and Giorgi Mikadze) “had a business dispute with Jangveladze as well as personal hostility, which led them to arrange his contract killing.” G. J. helped find the hitman, who turned out to be Jangveladze’s personal bodyguard, G. U. During questioning, witness M. B. allegedly gave false information to the investigation and concealed the crime.

Jangveladze was killed on March 14 this year on Chavchavadze Avenue; another man accompanying him was also injured. G. U., accused of the murder, was arrested shortly after the incident, along with the owner of the registered firearm used in the killing.

● The lawyer for Jangveladze’s family held a briefing, stating: “The Ministry of Internal Affairs has confirmed what the family has said from the very beginning. It was clear from the start that the masterminds behind Levan Jangveladze’s murder were under protection, and the case was not investigated for a long time.” Local media report that the brothers Giorgi and David Mikadze, arrested for allegedly organizing the contract killing, are linked to former Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze.

● Member of the opposition party United National Movement Levan Khabeishvili said the Ministry’s announcement of the arrest of the masterminds proves that “there is an internal war in Ivanishvili’s team,” since the Mikadze brothers—long fiercely defended by all Georgian Dream spokespeople—are tied to former Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze.

● The Tbilisi Court of Appeals upheld the sentence of Lelo – Strong Georgia party leader Mamuka Khazaradze. He was sentenced to eight months for refusing to cooperate with a temporary commission investigating the actions of the previous government (during Mikheil Saakashvili’s presidency). Khazaradze’s defense plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. Party political council member Giorgi Sioridze said: “The court continues to fulfill the demands of (oligarch) Ivanishvili and did not question the main witnesses.”

● Georgia and Turkey intend to expand cooperation in the defense industry and military sphere, as well as increase bilateral trade from $3 billion to $5 billion annually. This was agreed during a meeting in Ankara between Georgian Dream President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Erdoğan said at a joint briefing that more than 200 Turkish companies operate in Georgia, and Turkey’s direct investments there are approaching $2.5 billion. “I want to once again reaffirm our unwavering support for Georgia’s territorial integrity,” Erdoğan added. This was Kavelashvili’s first visit to Turkey.

● At the Ankara meeting, an agreement was also reached to hold a trilateral meeting with Azerbaijan at the level of parliamentary speakers. “The Azerbaijan–Turkey–Georgia mechanism plays an important role in regional processes,” Erdoğan said at the joint press conference.

● In Tbilisi, a rally was held by families forcibly evicted from a dilapidated building on Tvalchrelidze Street. They said that two weeks after the eviction, they still have no housing. Participants declared that forced evictions are unacceptable and that providing housing for every citizen should be the state’s top priority.

The eviction on July 24 was carried out with the use of force. Residents’ belongings were thrown into the street, and during clashes with police, 17 people were detained.

● A complaint by 19 Georgian journalists and cameramen has been submitted to the Strasbourg court. These are journalists who were injured during the violent dispersal of protests in March 2023 (during the first attempt to pass the foreign agents law). According to available information, not a single incident has been investigated to date.

● Georgian Dream has nominated candidates for mayoral positions in 63 municipalities for the October 4 elections. The candidates were presented by the party chairman and its appointed Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze. The only woman on the list is Nino Latsabidze in Rustavi. Part of the opposition, as well as a significant number of protest participants, are boycotting the elections, believing that the 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia were rigged and that the country is ruled by an illegitimate government.

● Kobakhidze told journalists he is confident the ruling Georgian Dream will win in all municipalities in the October elections. Seventeen parties have registered to participate; local experts and the opposition believe most of them are satellites of the ruling party.

● Irakli Kobakhidze held a phone conversation with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. According to the Armenian government’s press office, Pashinyan shared the results of the August 8 talks in Washington, including “details of initiating an agreement on peace and interstate relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”

● In Georgia, people honored the memory of the heroes of Shindisi, who tragically died during the August 2008 war with Russia. On August 11, 2008, a unit of 22 Georgian servicemen fought near the village of Shindisi. Only five survived.

● Today, the Court of Appeal will announce its verdict in the case of Giorgi Bachiashvili, former CEO of the Co-Investment Fund created by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is considered Georgia’s shadow ruler. The case concerns the theft of cryptocurrency belonging to Ivanishvili, for which Bachiashvili was sentenced to 11 years in prison. More here

● Donald Trump, commenting on the results of the Armenia–Azerbaijan meeting in Washington, said that the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia had lasted for 37 years. The leaders of both countries, as they themselves told him, did not expect that the problem would ever be resolved. “Russia tried to do it, everyone tried. It was a very difficult situation. We did it,” the U.S. president said.

● The text of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been published. The agreement was initialed in the U.S. on August 8, with the document signed by the foreign ministers. Here is the full text of the agreement.

The text of the peace treaty was fully agreed upon by the parties back in March. However, Baku later put forward preconditions for its signing. One of them has already been fulfilled — a joint appeal to the OSCE to end the activities of the Minsk Group, which had been working on conflict resolution. The second condition remains — amending Armenia’s constitution. Baku claims that the constitution contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Yerevan asserts that Armenia’s constitution contains no statements that could be considered territorial claims. However, it does include a reference to the Declaration of Independence, which mentions the joint resolution of the Supreme Council of the Armenian SSR and the National Council of Nagorno-Karabakh “On the reunification of the Armenian SSR and Nagorno-Karabakh.”

Changes to Armenia’s constitution are possible only as a result of a nationwide referendum, which, under the country’s laws, cannot be held before 2027. Armenian experts comment that if Azerbaijan continues to insist on this point, the signing will be delayed by about two years.

● Armenian experts point out that the published text of the peace agreement already fully addresses the concerns of the Azerbaijani side. One of the clauses states that the parties “have no territorial claims against each other and will not make such claims in the future.” Another states that “neither party may invoke provisions of its domestic law as justification for non-compliance with this agreement.” Armenian authorities had repeatedly stated this even before the text was made public.

● “This agreement is a solid foundation for establishing a reliable and long-term peace, the result of an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan reflecting the balanced interests of both countries,” said Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan after its publication.

● Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan called the initialing of the peace treaty in Washington a “historic event”: “It became a key milestone in the process of resolving Armenian–Azerbaijani relations. The initialing and the subsequent public statements showed that peace, in the sense of the absence of escalation on the border, has already been established. And, in essence, the stage of institutionalizing peace is beginning.”

He also commented on the details of the Washington Declaration regarding the unblocking of the region and stressed that all processes will be reciprocal and bilateral. “From now on, Armenia gains access to and can use Azerbaijan’s railway infrastructure for international trade. […] The agreements of the Washington Declaration obviously gain even more weight due to the participation of the American side and the signature of the U.S. president as a witness,” he said. More on this here.

● The Armenian prime minister presented the results of the Washington talks to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. In a phone call, Pashinyan spoke about the opportunities that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan opens for the region. He assured that regional communications will operate within the principles of territorial integrity and national jurisdiction. Iran has always stated that changing borders is unacceptable to it, and this is a positive outcome for the Iranian authorities.

● An official visit of the President of Iran to Armenia will take place within the next two weeks.

● The Armenian prime minister also held a telephone conversation with the President of Russia. Pashinyan presented Putin with the details of the Washington talks. The prime minister’s office reported that Pashinyan spoke about the opportunities that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan creates for all countries in the region.

The Kremlin’s statement emphasized that “the conversation took place at the initiative of the Armenian side.” Putin expressed Moscow’s readiness “to facilitate — in line with the well-known trilateral agreements at the highest level in 2020–2022 — the comprehensive normalization of Armenian–Azerbaijani relations, including the unblocking of transport communications in the region.” In this regard, Armenian analysts note that “most of the agreements in those documents, signed by Pashinyan and Aliyev with Putin’s mediation, were not implemented by Russia and Azerbaijan.”

● The Armenian prime minister also reported the results of the Washington meeting by phone to the President of France. According to the prime minister’s press service, Pashinyan thanked Macron “for his constant support.” He also spoke about new investment opportunities in Armenia and the region. “I welcomed the agreement reached with U.S. assistance between Armenia and Azerbaijan aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries. I hope that this agreement will soon lead to the signing and ratification of a peace treaty that takes into account the interests of each side. In this context, I once again confirmed my full support for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, as well as France’s commitment to peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus,” Macron wrote on X after his conversation with Pashinyan.

● Another important phone conversation took place between Nikol Pashinyan and the President of Turkey. Pashinyan told Erdoğan about the successful talks in the U.S. He emphasized that “the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan creates an opportunity to establish a new quality of regional cooperation.” According to the official press release, they also discussed issues on the Armenia–Turkey bilateral agenda and the progress of implementing previously reached agreements. “The prime minister noted that the atmosphere for their implementation is now more favorable than ever. The interlocutors agreed to continue active political dialogue,” the statement says.

● Another phone conversation took place between Pashinyan and the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who congratulated the Armenian prime minister on signing important documents in Washington. “The signing of the declaration on the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is of historical significance, was made possible in part thanks to the outstanding qualities of Nikol Pashinyan as a politician with strong political will and strategic vision of his state’s national interests. The declaration opens the way for large-scale international cooperation in the South Caucasus and for more intensive economic and investment interaction between Kazakhstan and Armenia,” the press service of the President of Kazakhstan reported.

● Alongside the prime minister’s phone calls, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held talks with the foreign ministers of Russia, Iran, and France. According to official information, the discussions with all partners concerned the agreements reached by the authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan with the mediation of the U.S. president. Mirzoyan also received congratulations by phone from European Commission Vice-President and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

● The text of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been published. The agreement was initialed in the U.S. on August 8, with the document signed by the foreign ministers. Here is the full text of the agreement:

● Donald Trump: “Washington managed to resolve the 37-year conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The two leaders stood up and said: ‘We never thought it could be resolved.’ Russia tried to solve this issue. The situation was very difficult, but we did it.”

● European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas held phone talks with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia. She congratulated them on signing the joint statement by the leaders of Azerbaijan, the U.S., and Armenia following the Washington meeting, on the initialing of the peace treaty, on the joint call to dismantle the OSCE Minsk Group and its structures, as well as on other agreements reached. Kallas also offered EU support for implementing the agreement, investing in communications, and fully normalizing Armenia–Azerbaijan relations.

● Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: “The agreement reached by the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the U.S. is a historic step towards lasting stability in the South Caucasus. After the liberation of Karabakh from Armenia’s 30-year occupation, a new stage has already begun in the region. We are pleased that U.S. restrictions on Azerbaijan have been lifted. I spoke by phone with the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia. The opening of transport and communication lines, borders, and the development of trade will benefit all the countries in the region.”

● President Ilham Aliyev called the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. They discussed the importance of the recent start of Azerbaijani gas deliveries to Syria as part of joint cooperation between Azerbaijan, Turkey, Qatar, and Syria. The financial support of Qatar for this project was particularly noted. Aliyev also stressed the significance of the peace and interstate relations agreement signed with Armenia in Washington and other documents, highlighting Donald Trump’s role in these achievements. Aliyev further noted that “the agreement on unhindered transport links between the main part of Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will positively impact the development of the Middle Corridor in the future.” He invited the Emir of Qatar to visit Azerbaijan, and the invitation was accepted.

● “The agreements reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan are extremely positive for both countries. Now they can develop cooperation through direct contacts, without looking back at Russia,” said Nikita Poturaev, Chairman of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Committee and Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, in comments to the pro-government outlet Report. “The weakening of Russia’s position in any region helps strengthen stability and reduces the aggressor’s ability to continue aggressive policies towards neighboring countries. Russia armed the Armenian army purely for its own interests. This was not good-faith alliance with Armenia. Russia has no friends or allies — only interests aimed at exploiting other countries and peoples,” Poturaev said.

● “By threatening Azerbaijan, Russia will repeat the path of the USSR” — under this headline, a report was published by pro-government Baku TV. It stated that after the U.S.–Azerbaijan–Armenia leaders’ summit in Washington, Russian propaganda responded with a series of insults and threats towards Azerbaijan and its leadership.

• Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov: “A NATO base could be placed on the Caspian Sea; a new special military operation is needed there.”

• MP and General Andrey Gurulyov: “It is necessary to ban the import of Azerbaijani goods and ‘squeeze’ Azerbaijani entrepreneurs in Russia. A special military operation is a flexible concept, and its geography can cover all neighboring countries.”

• vPopular military blogger Yuri Podolyaka: “A war between Russia and Azerbaijan, from being theoretical, is now becoming quite likely against the background of Baku’s changing stance and the possible lifting of the arms supply embargo to Ukraine.”

The Baku TV report concludes: “Such statements show that this is no longer the improvisation of a single propagandist but a deliberate escalation from the authorities, especially within Russia’s security bloc.”

● “Ilham Aliyev, how about making peace with your own citizens?” — wrote journalist Fatima Movlamly from her prison cell, arrested in the Meydan TV case, commenting on the historic meeting in Washington. Read more here

● The trial of a group of former leaders of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) continued. They are accused of war crimes, terrorism, attempts to overthrow state power, and other serious crimes. According to the state agency AZERTAC, the hearing featured testimony from victims of attacks by the Armenian armed forces and from people who were tortured in captivity. Dozens of people who suffered violence and whose relatives were killed or tortured during the First Karabakh War in the early 1990s, the three-day April War in 2016, and the Second Karabakh War in 2020 testified. The trial will continue on August 14.

Photo by İltun Huseynli

● A complaint by 19 Georgian journalists and cameramen has been submitted to the Strasbourg Court.
It concerns journalists who were injured during the forcible dispersal of rallies in March 2023 (during the first attempt to pass the “foreign agents” law). According to available information, not a single incident has been investigated to date.

● Georgian Dream has nominated candidates for mayor in 63 municipalities for the October 4 elections.
The candidates were presented by the party’s chairman, appointed Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. The only woman on the list is Nino Latsabidze in Rustavi. Part of the opposition, as well as a significant number of protest participants, are boycotting the elections, claiming that Georgia’s 2024 parliamentary elections were rigged and that the country is ruled by an illegitimate government.

● Kobakhidze told journalists he is confident that the ruling Georgian Dream will win in all municipalities in the October elections.
Seventeen parties are registered to participate; local experts and the opposition believe most of them are satellites of the ruling party.

● Irakli Kobakhidze held a phone conversation with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. According to the Armenian government’s press office, Pashinyan spoke about the results of the August 8 negotiations in Washington, including “details of initiating the agreement on peace and interstate relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”

● Georgia honored the memory of the heroes of Shindisi, who tragically died during the August 2008 war with Russia.
On August 11, 2008, a detachment of 22 Georgian servicemen fought near the village of Shindisi. Only five survived.

● Today, the Court of Appeals will announce the verdict in the case of Giorgi Bachiashvili, former CEO of the Co-Investment Fund created by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is considered Georgia’s shadow ruler. The case concerns the embezzlement of cryptocurrency belonging to Ivanishvili, for which Bachiashvili was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Read more here

● Most topics in Azerbaijani media and social media are related to the historic trilateral meeting between the President of Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, and the President of the United States, during which the agreed text of an agreement on establishing peace and restoring relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia was initialed, along with several other documents. None of them have yet been published. According to sources, the text of the peace declaration consists of the following seven points:

1. The heads of state witnessed the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan initialing the Armenian–Azerbaijani Agreement on Establishing Peace and Interstate Relations. They pledged to strive for its signing and ratification.
2. They also witnessed the foreign ministers signing a joint appeal to the OSCE to terminate the work of the Minsk Group, which was created by the organization in 1992 to facilitate the Karabakh conflict talks under the co-chairmanship of the U.S., France, and Russia.
3. They confirmed the importance of unblocking regional communications “based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction of states.”
4. Armenia will work with the U.S. and third countries to organize on its territory a transit “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP). This route will connect Azerbaijan by land to its Nakhchivan autonomy through Armenian territory. A 40-cm segment of the road in Armenia will be managed by a joint U.S.–Armenian consortium.
5. The leaders recognized the need to “chart a course toward a bright future free from the conflicts of the past” in accordance with the UN Charter and the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, in which 11 Soviet republics declared the dissolution of the USSR and respect for each other’s borders and territorial integrity. The heads of state declared that conditions now exist for “building good-neighborly relations”: “this reality, which must never be revised, paves the way to ending hostility between our peoples.”
6. They expressed confidence that the Washington summit will serve as a solid foundation “for mutual respect and achieving peace in the region.”
7. They expressed gratitude to Trump “for his gracious hospitality” and “significant contribution to normalizing bilateral relations” between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

A widely welcomed topic is President Trump’s decision to repeal Section 907 of the U.S. Freedom Support Act, which restricted military and economic ties between the U.S. and Azerbaijan. The amendment, adopted in 1992 during the first Karabakh war when Armenia occupied Karabakh and seven adjacent districts, banned U.S. government assistance to Azerbaijan due to its blockade of Armenia. For years, U.S. presidents temporarily waived it, but the Biden–Blinken administration reinstated it.

Statements by Ilham Aliyev to Azerbaijani journalists on the results of the historic Washington meeting here.

Statements by Nikol Pashinyan to Armenian journalists on the meeting’s results here.

Expert commentary on criticism of the agreements from Russia and Iran here.

●  Pope Leo XIV, during his traditional Sunday sermon, welcomed Armenia and Azerbaijan’s signing of the peace declaration: “I hope this will help establish lasting peace in the Caucasus,” he said.

●  President Ilham Aliyev called UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The UAE president congratulated him on the results of his U.S. visit. The importance of Aliyev’s recent visit to the UAE was noted. Aliyev invited him to visit Azerbaijan, and the invitation was accepted, pro-government Azerbaijani sources report.

●  Aliyev called Turkmen Halk Maslahaty (Parliament) Chairman Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. They discussed the importance of Berdimuhamedov’s recent visit to Azerbaijan and the UN conference on landlocked developing countries in Avaza, Turkmenistan. They also spoke about the peace agreement and the OSCE Minsk Group’s abolition, highlighting Trump’s role. Aliyev expressed confidence that unimpeded transport linking mainland Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan will boost prosperity for the whole region, the state agency Azertac reports.

●  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Aliyev to congratulate him on the peace agenda’s progress between Armenia and Azerbaijan with U.S. support. Zelensky said the August 8 Washington meeting “went down in history.” The presidents condemned Russian airstrikes on an Azerbaijani SOCAR oil depot and other facilities in Ukraine, as well as a gas compressor station transporting Azerbaijani gas to Ukraine. Both expressed confidence that cooperation in the energy sector will continue.

●  The pro-government outlet Caliber, citing its sources, reported that Azerbaijan may lift its arms embargo on Ukraine. “If Russia continues its aggressive policy toward Azerbaijan’s interests, official Baku will begin considering lifting the embargo on supplying weapons to Ukraine from its arsenal,” the article said.

●  Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called Ilham Aliyev to congratulate him on “the historic significance of these results, which will create opportunities for comprehensive cooperation in the region.”

●  “Iran supports the Trump Route if it does not violate the territorial integrity of regional states,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said. He noted Iran’s requirements for the route were taken into account but voiced concern over the participation of not only Armenian but also U.S. companies. The day before, Ali Akbar Velayati, senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, harshly criticized the project: “The South Caucasus is not an ownerless region for Trump to lease. This corridor will not be Trump’s Route but a graveyard for his mercenaries.” More on Iran’s reaction to the Trump-brokered agreements here.

●  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is convening a cabinet meeting today to discuss the agreements reached at the August 8 Washington meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders with Donald Trump. The agenda will also include next steps toward peace.

●  The Interior Ministry urged the public to protect the environment in Karabakh “to repair the damage done during 30 years of occupation and help restore ecological balance.” The ministry called on citizens to “fulfill their civic duty, avoid littering, and keep Karabakh – now a symbol of peace and tranquility – clean.”

Photos from the Washington meeting, published by the press service of the President of Azerbaijan.

● Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that the text of the peace agreement initialed on August 8 in Washington between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be published on Monday. “The content of the peace agreement is generally known to the public — we have already said what it contains and what it definitely does not contain. On August 11, as agreed with Azerbaijan, the text of the document will be published. With a sensible approach, all speculation should end from that moment,” Mirzoyan said.

● None of the documents signed as a result of the Washington talks have yet been published. There is only information that the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace agreement was initialed, and bilateral agreements were signed between the US and Armenia, as well as between the US and Azerbaijan. In addition, in his speech, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev mentioned the OSCE Minsk Group and stated that its work was completed. The group had been involved in settling the Karabakh conflict, and recently Baku had been demanding its dissolution, declaring the conflict resolved.

● The main document for Armenia was the joint declaration on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP). The sides agreed to open a road connecting mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave of Nakhchivan. The road will pass through Armenia, with a section of about 40 km placed under the management of an Armenian-American consortium. This means the route will not be extraterritorial, as Baku had demanded by calling it the “Zangezur Corridor,” Armenian experts stress. Armenia’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over this road will be preserved. This issue had caused the most concern among the Armenian public.

Other details about the Washington talks — here

● During a midnight press conference in Washington after the signing of the documents, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan answered questions from Armenian journalists, who were also most interested in the road-unblocking issue. The prime minister assured that, according to the joint declaration, the unblocking of both Armenian and Azerbaijani roads will occur simultaneously — on the principle of reciprocity. He emphasized that Armenia’s sovereignty would in no way be compromised. As a result of implementing the TRIPP program, Armenia will, according to Pashinyan, gain rail connections with the entire world. Gas pipelines, oil pipelines, power lines, and goods will pass through the country. “This will bring billions to Armenia. They will be invested in our children’s education, healthcare, and the well-being of our citizens. It will create new layers, tools, and formulas for security,” he said.

More on Nikol Pashinyan’s statements following the historic meeting in Washington — here.

Ilham Aliyev’s statements to Azerbaijani journalists after this meeting — here.

● “Armenia and Azerbaijan will not take a single step back in the peace process, and any problem, even if it arises, will be resolved,” Donald Trump said in response to an Armenian journalist’s question about whether there would be consequences if either side backed away from the agreements reached. “I don’t think that will happen. I think everything will be fine. And I told them [Pashinyan and Aliyev], I gave them my personal promise. They both know that if there is a problem, they will call me, and I will solve it,” Trump said.

● Following the Washington bilateral meeting between the Armenian prime minister and the US president, three memorandums were signed, Armenian Ambassador to the US Lilit Makunts reported. According to her, they define the main directions of bilateral relations for the coming years. “They concern capacity development under the Armenian government’s ‘Crossroads of Peace’ project [on unblocking regional communications], promoting innovation in artificial intelligence and semiconductors, and cooperation in energy security. From a strategic point of view, it is extremely important to have such planning,” Makunts said.

● After the bilateral meeting with Nikol Pashinyan, the US president presented him with symbolic keys to the White House (photo below). It is known that the same was given to the president of Azerbaijan.

● Opposition politicians in Armenia called the results of the Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting mediated by Trump in Washington a “capitulation.” They believe Azerbaijan and the US received “obvious and long-term strategic and economic benefits,” strengthened their positions in the region, while Armenia received only a “temporary reprieve.” In their view, the signed documents imply additional risks of “ending up at the center of explosive geopolitical attention.” “Naturally, the anti-state and collaborationist government is delighted with the vulgar exploitation of the term ‘sovereignty.’ But all supporters of the republic, regardless of political differences, must unite to start a movement for independence,” said Suren Surenyants, leader of the Democratic Alternative party.

● The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) also sharply criticized the outcome of the Washington meeting, arguing that key issues for Armenia remained unresolved. “The destruction of Nagorno-Karabakh is not peace; normalizing ethnic cleansing is not peace; abandoning Christian holy sites is not peace; Armenian hostages and prisoners [still in Baku] is not peace; recognizing Azerbaijani occupation of Armenian territories is not peace; peace at gunpoint is not peace,” the statement read.

● Iran’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the initialing of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, while expressing “concern about possible negative consequences of any external interference, especially near common borders, which could undermine security and stability in the region.” Iran was particularly troubled by reports of US involvement in opening the road through Armenia to connect mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave of Nakhchivan — the “Trump Route.”

● Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was forced to address this issue to ease tensions within Iranian society: “Things are not as exaggerated in the news. Iran’s requirements related to this route were taken into account. Iran supports the implementation of the ‘Trump Route’ if it does not violate the territorial integrity of the states in the region.”

● “NATO is trying to strengthen its influence in the South Caucasus under the guise of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” said Konstantin Zatulin, first deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs. “If we reject Ukraine’s membership in NATO, we should not allow NATO in through the backyard. And that is exactly what is happening in the South Caucasus. This is what NATO member Turkey is aiming for,” Zatulin said.

● Pope Leo XIV, during his Sunday sermon, stated: “Let us continue to pray for an end to wars. I congratulate Armenia and Azerbaijan on signing a joint declaration on peace. I hope this will serve to establish lasting peace in the Caucasus.”

● The Prime Minister and the Foreign Ministry from the “Georgian Dream” party congratulated Azerbaijan and Armenia on their historic achievement toward peace at the trilateral meeting of Aliyev-Pashinyan-Trump in Washington and declared the “beginning of a new era of stability and economic development in the region.”

● The fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili (who is in opposition to the ruling “Georgian Dream”), welcomed the agreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan, reached with the mediation of the USA, and emphasized Russia’s obstructive role in achieving peace. “Your success is the success of peace and progress in the Caucasus. The people of Georgia know the value of peace and independence and appreciate this great achievement after decades during which Russia hindered it,” Zurabishvili addressed the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the USA in [X].

● The Central Election Commission announced that 17 parties have submitted applications to participate in the local government elections in October. Five electoral subjects who took part in the 2024 parliamentary elections retained the same numbers they had in the parliamentary elections. Two opposition groups — the “National Movement” and the “Coalition for Change” — lost their electoral numbers because they applied to use them but did not submit applications to participate in the elections. As a result, their numbers were assigned to other parties: number 5 was given to the party “Our United Georgia,” and number 4 to the party “Georgian Unity.” Eight opposition parties have earlier announced a boycott of the municipal elections until new free parliamentary elections are held. Two well-known opposition parties declared their participation in the municipal elections. The rest of the political subjects are mostly considered by experts as satellites of the ruling “Georgian Dream.”

● Archimandrite Dorothe Kurashvili: “Global events are happening in the world, and they (the authorities from ‘Georgian Dream’) panic and grab young people on the streets, chase after them. Politics is just PR, and our country, instead, has torn relations with the world community. This means they are not politicians, not saviors of the country. They invent some dangers, then promote them and become victims of this propaganda themselves. They show it on TV and believe in it themselves. They are scared and scare people. This is their shame and madness. Soon they will start talking about revelations as if something was revealed to them. Because people have only two paths — either to God or to evil. They and their propagandists chose evil and became temples of the devil. There is no trace of truth left in them. This is very sad, but everyone will bear the evil fruits of this themselves.”

Photo by David Pipia/JAMnews from the meeting in Washington, published by the press service of the President of Azerbaijan

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 4-8 August, 2025