US Vice President Vance Visits Azerbaijan to Push Peace Efforts After Armenia Visit

BAKU – US Vice President JD Vance visited Azerbaijan on Tuesday, arriving from Armenia as part of a regional trip. His tour aims to consolidate a US-brokered peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Last year, US President Donald Trump mediated a peace agreement between the historical rivals. The two countries fought two wars over the Karabakh region. Vance’s visit highlights ongoing US efforts to maintain stability in the Caucasus.

During the trip, Vance deleted a controversial post claiming he laid a wreath at the Armenian Genocide memorial. His office said staff published the post in error. Armenia seeks international recognition of the 1915 killings of Armenians as genocide. Turkey rejects the label and disputes the death toll. Last year, Trump avoided using the term genocide, reversing President Biden’s previous stance.

In Baku, Vance met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and signed a strategic partnership agreement with the United States. Vance said the deal “will formalize that partnership and make it clear it will stick.” He announced US support for territorial waters protection, including new boat shipments. Aliyev said defense cooperation and security ties will deepen through equipment sales. The two leaders also pledged collaboration on counterterrorism operations.

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The visit follows Vance’s talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan on Monday. It aims to advance a transport and trade corridor, known as TRIPP, connecting Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan exclave. The corridor will integrate the region into east-west trade routes linking Central Asia, the Caspian, and Europe. Azerbaijan views regional connectivity as key to signing a comprehensive peace treaty with Armenia. Meanwhile, human rights groups urged Vance to help release Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan.

Finally, Vance emphasized the visit promotes Trump’s peace efforts and regional stability. Aliyev said TRIPP will contribute to peace, development, and cooperation. The visit underscores the United States’ ongoing role in mediating disputes in the Caucasus. Both countries committed to respecting territorial agreements and avoiding force. Observers say the strategic partnership signals a new phase in US-Azerbaijan relations.