U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections on 7 June, backing the leader as the country moves closer to the West and further away from Russia.
The election is widely seen as a major political test for Pashinyan and his ruling Civil Contract party. Armenians will vote for a new parliament, which will in turn decide the country’s next prime minister. Polls suggest the race could be extremely close.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday (27 May), Trump praised Pashinyan and announced his support for the Armenian leader’s re-election campaign.
“Nikol completely shares my vision of PEACE and PROSPERITY for Armenia and the entire South Caucasus region,” Trump wrote.
“For these reasons, Nikol has my COMPLETE and TOTAL Endorsement for Re-Election on June 7, 2026,” he added, using the same language he often employs in domestic political endorsements.
Trump also highlighted plans for a major regional transport project known as TRIPP - the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity. The corridor would connect Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan through southern Armenia.
“Soon, the United States and Armenia will break ground together on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity,” Trump said, describing the project as one that would “transform the South Caucasus”.
The initiative was agreed last August during a White House summit attended by Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Trump. Under the proposed framework, a U.S.-backed company would oversee rail, road, energy and digital infrastructure along the route for an initial 49-year period. According to the agreement, Armenia would retain full sovereignty over all project areas.
Trump said the corridor would also help American energy companies gain access to markets stretching from Central Asia to the United States.
The endorsement came shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the Armenian capital, Yerevan, where he signed a strategic partnership agreement with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding on critical minerals.
Trump later said Rubio had “advanced several important Deals for both our Countries” during the visit.
Pashinyan responded to Trump’s comments in a post on X, thanking the U.S. president for his “high appreciation and friendly words”.
The Armenian prime minister has increasingly sought to reduce his country’s dependence on Moscow in recent years, while strengthening ties with Western partners. The upcoming election is expected to show whether voters support that shift in foreign policy direction.
Trump described Pashinyan as “a great friend and Leader” who was “making his Country strong, wealthy, and very secure”.
“With Nikol's help, we will bring the United States, Armenia, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia to greater heights than ever before,” Trump wrote.
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