The Russian Foreign Ministry has argued that the TRIPP project—a key connectivity initiative in Armenia that Yerevan will develop with Washington—will only benefit from Moscow’s participation.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, in an interview with RTVI, highlighted that the Armenian–Russian–Azerbaijani agreements of 2022–2023 also addressed the reopening of regional connectivity.
“At that time, ways of restoring railway communications were also discussed, including the possibility of establishing links between Armenian and Azerbaijani railways or operating them in a looped system. It is another matter that, through no fault of ours, these discussions and this dialogue within the framework of the trilateral working group were interrupted. Continuing it now is extremely difficult, because Armenia, as I understand it, has promised the American side 49% of the charter capital of the future railway,” Galuzin said.
He expressed skepticism about the implementation of the TRIPP project, referring to Iranian and Chinese factors.
He said that, after the recent U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran would be unlikely to welcome a U.S. presence immediately north of its border. He added that some experts believe it is also unlikely that the Chinese side would be satisfied with American control over a segment of the transport and logistics route from Central Asia to Europe, between China and Central Asia, and then onward to Europe.
“Thus, the prospects are ambiguous, and we believe that the participation of Russia would only benefit this project,” the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister said.
He added that, presumably, the project should be built to the same railway gauge as Russian railways in order to ensure seamless connectivity with Azerbaijan.
“The Armenian railways are managed by South Caucasus Railway Closed Joint-Stock Company, which is a subsidiary of Russian Railways. Transit through Armenia, incidentally, as part of the Eurasian Economic Union, must be carried out in accordance with the norms and regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union, from which Armenia, as it states, does not wish to withdraw. Finally, the ‘Trump Route’ will pass through an area guarded by Russian border guards, who for decades have, together with their Armenian counterparts, been securing Armenia’s borders with Türkiye and Iran. Thus, in one way or another, Russia’s opinion must be taken into account, as well as that of the Eurasian Economic Union. Therefore, we believe that the project would only benefit from Russia’s participation,” Deputy Foreign Minister Galuzin said.
The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is a connectivity project in Armenia, envisaged under the U.S.-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani joint declaration signed in Washington, D.C. The project is expected to unlock strategic economic opportunities, create long-term benefits by promoting infrastructure investment, and enhance regional connectivity. An Armenian-American joint enterprise is expected to develop the route.
