Discrepancies emerge in statements from Russian officials concerning the Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in Washington D.C.

In a recent summit in Washington, Armenia and Azerbaijan initiated the process of signing a peace treaty. However, the outcomes of the meeting have sparked contrasting views, particularly from Russian officials.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed scepticism about the workability of the initialled peace treaty. He suggested that the summit might not lead to a real peace treaty, but rather a temporary resolution. Lavrov's sceptical remarks were made after Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksei Overchuk's positive outlook towards the construction of the TRIPP road.

The TRIPP road, if constructed, will contribute to the connectivity of Armenia with Russia and serve as a significant transportation route for goods between the two countries. It will also connect Azerbaijan and its exclave of Nakhchivan with Armenia. Overchuk stated that the construction of the TRIPP road will contribute to the formation of a common transport framework for Eurasia and will likely be the main road for transporting goods between Russia and Armenia.

However, not everyone shares Overchuk's optimism. James O'Brien, a former US official who served as assistant secretary of state in former US President Joe Biden's administration, published comments arguing that the Armenian-Azerbaijani agreements signed in Washington would not bring Armenia a substantial peace dividend. O'Brien's comments suggested that the agreements may not resolve the conflict with Azerbaijan, and could potentially leave Armenia exposed to further risks.

Lavrov's sceptical assessments of the Washington summit were not limited to Russia. The sceptical views were also shared by other parties, though specific details have not been disclosed.

It is important to note that the Russian government has not officially announced or explicitly supported the implementation of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan or the establishment of the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP) corridor. The peace agreement was primarily facilitated by the United States, with no specific public endorsement from Russia mentioned in available sources.

This contrasting viewpoint between Russian and US officials highlights the complexities and uncertainties surrounding the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and the potential impact of the TRIPP road on the region. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these developments will shape the future of relations between Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Discrepancies emerge in statements from Russian officials concerning the Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in Washington D.C.