Trump backs Armenia’s Pashinyan before June 7 vote

May 29, 2026

Summary

Trump endorsed Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan before Armenia’s closely watched June 7 parliamentary election.

Why this matters

The election is a test of Armenia’s political direction as it weighs closer ties with the West and reduced dependence on Moscow. Trump’s endorsement also links U.S. policy to a regional transit corridor included in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday he supports Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ahead of Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary election, which polls show is closely contested.

The vote is being closely watched as Pashinyan seeks to reduce Armenia’s reliance on Moscow and deepen ties with the West. Armenia is also dealing with the aftermath of Azerbaijan’s 2023 takeover of the Karabakh region and the displacement of about 100,000 ethnic Armenians.

Trump announced his support in a post on Truth Social. He said that “soon, the United States and Armenia will break ground together” on a transit corridor agreed to under a U.S.-brokered peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The route, called the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, or TRIPP, would pass through Armenian territory and connect Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave.

Trump said the project “will transform the South Caucasus, and help our wonderful American Energy Companies gain access from Central Asia all the way to the United States.”

He called Pashinyan “a great friend and Leader” who was “making his Country strong, wealthy, and very secure!”

“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,” Trump said.

Pashinyan thanked Trump on Thursday in a post on X for his “high appreciation and friendly words.”

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