JD Vance arrived in Armenia on Monday (9 February), becoming the first sitting U.S. Vice President to visit the country, as Yerevan and Washington agreed to cooperate in the civil nuclear sector in a bid to deepen engagement in the South Caucasus.
During his two-day visit to the region, U.S. Vice President said lasting peace in the South Caucasus depends on forward-looking leadership, stressing that long-standing disputes can only be resolved through dialogue and the implementation of existing commitments.
Speaking alongside Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Vance said Washington supports peaceful protesters in Iran and noted that future steps on U.S.-Iran negotiations would be determined by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Our president has stated that we stand with peaceful protesters in Iran and support them,” Vance said.
Armenia and the United States signed a joint statement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, completing negotiations on a so-called 123 Agreement that allows Washington to license nuclear technology and equipment to partner countries.
Vance said the agreement would enable up to $5 billion in initial U.S. exports to Armenia, with an additional $4 billion in longer-term fuel and maintenance contracts.
"This agreement will open a new chapter in the deepening energy partnership between Armenia and the United States," Pashinyan said at a joint press conference with Vance.
Long dependent on Russia and Iran for energy supplies, Armenia is reviewing proposals from U.S., Russian, Chinese, French and South Korean companies to replace its ageing Metsamor nuclear power plant.
During the visit, Pashinyan announced Armenia would purchase V-BAT reconnaissance drones from the United States through the Foreign Military Sales programme. Vance said the roughly $11 million deal would support Armenia’s security and regional stability while contributing to investment and jobs in the U.S. defence sector.
Vance also met Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, who welcomed the visit as a sign of strong bilateral ties and highlighted the importance of achieving lasting peace in the region.
The trip comes six months after Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders signed a White House-brokered agreement seen as the first step toward ending nearly four decades of conflict.
The visit also included announcements of expanded economic engagement under the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) initiative.
The TRIPP corridor, which envisages new or upgraded rail links, oil and gas pipelines and fibre-optic cables, aims to transform the South Caucasus by boosting connectivity, trade and energy cooperation across the region.
Vance is expected to continue his regional diplomacy with a visit to Azerbaijan, where discussions are likely to focus on implementing the peace framework, economic connectivity and long-term stability.
For Azerbaijan, relations with Washington are increasingly centred on energy cooperation, transit routes and a formal strategic partnership.
Associate Professor Orkan Valiyev described TRIPP as a major economic turning point, calling it “a great initiative that came from Azerbaijan” and noting that U.S. involvement has elevated the project’s strategic weight.
"This is a great achievement that the United States is involved in this project," he says, adding that Vice President JD Vance’s visit represents "another huge step for the future of the entire region."
According to Valiyev, the current phase marks a shift from traditional diplomacy toward economic integration, signalling a new stage in Washington’s engagement with the South Caucasus beyond conflict management alone.
Together, these parallel tracks highlight Washington’s expanding role in the South Caucasus as the region gains strategic importance beyond conflict management alone.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. was considering "winding down" its military operation against Iran,...
The U.S. President’s Board of Peace has presented Hamas with a written proposal on disarmament, two sources said, a step the group has so far...
Cuba has rejected suggestions that the future of its political system or President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s term was discussed in talks ...
Fourteen people died and 25 were seriously injured in a fire at a car parts factory in the South Korean city of Da...
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators will hold talks in Miami on Saturday that could lay the groundwork for another meeting between U.S. President Don...
Slovenia heads to the polls on Sunday (22 March) in a closely contested race between incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob and right-wing former Prime Minister Janez Janša.
Iceland could reopen talks on joining the European Union after a 13-year pause, as shifting security concerns and renewed economic debate bring EU membership back to the centre of national politics.
Italy will vote on 22 and 23 March in a judicial reform referendum that could reshape the justice system and test Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s political strength ahead of the 2027 general election.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 21 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Israel reportedly launched a fresh wave of attacks on Iran on Friday (20 March), a day after U.S. President Donald Trump told it not to repeat its strikes on Iranian natural gas infrastructure, which sharply escalated the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Carlos Ray “Chuck” Norris, the martial artist, actor and cultural icon best known for his roles in action films and the long-running CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger, has died at the age of 86.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. was considering "winding down" its military operation against Iran, as Iran and Israel traded attacks on Saturday (21 March) and Iranian media said the nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz had been attacked.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has refused to lift his opposition to a €90 billion ($104 billion) European Union loan to help Ukraine keep up its fight against Russia’s invasion, following a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday (19 March).
The trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day has officially become the most-watched trailer of all time, racking up 718.6 million views in its first 24 hours and surpassing the previous record set by Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. was considering "winding down" its military operation against Iran, as Iran and Israel traded attacks on Saturday (21 March) and Iranian media said the nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz had been attacked.
The U.S. President’s Board of Peace has presented Hamas with a written proposal on disarmament, two sources said, a step the group has so far refused as Washington presses ahead with its plan for Gaza’s future.
Uzbekistan has outlined plans to select its first astronaut and launch two Earth observation satellites, as it steps up efforts to build a national space programme and strengthen its scientific and technological capacity.
Israel launched strikes on Tehran and Beirut on Saturday (21 March) as the United States deployed thousands of additional Marines to the Middle East, while President Donald Trump criticised NATO allies as "cowards" over their reluctance to help open the Strait of Hormuz.
The Trump administration has waived sanctions on the purchase of Iranian oil at sea for 30 days on Friday (20 March) in its latest attempt to ease oil prices that have been driven up by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment