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An abandoned station, a few rusted carriages and a dozen metres of track constitute the only remnants of former Soviet railroad in southern Armenia.

While appearing improbable, this neglected section of railway in the Caucasus region has been selected to become a symbol of diplomatic peace by the US president, known as the Trump Route for Global Stability and Economic Growth.

Dispersed throughout are fragments of a head from a memorial to a Soviet-era figure. A female statue has lost one limb.

"We stand upon the Trump route, alternatively called Peace Junction, the Silk Road, and the Zangezur Corridor," notes Marut Vanyan. "However currently none of this appears Western."

Peace Negotiations

This constitutes one of the "unendable wars" the US president asserts to have successfully resolved, through a diplomatic settlement between the Armenian government and its historical rival Azerbaijan.

The proposal outlines American corporations establishing presence under a 99-year deal to develop the 43km route through Armenian territory along its entire border with Iran, establishing a passageway linking Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan.

Rail transport, highway and energy conduits are all promised and Trump has spoken of corporations investing "significant funds, which will economically benefit the three participating countries".

On the ground, the scale of the challenge is clear. This connectivity project must be constructed completely new, but political hurdles significantly exceed economic issues.

Geopolitical Implications

Trump's intervention might transform the geopolitics of an area that Russia claims as its sphere of influence. Conservative factions in Iran are also worried and are threatening to block the project.

The Tripp proposal is key to ending a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that started over Nagorno-Karabakh, a part of Azerbaijan historically populated by.

During 2023, Azerbaijan recaptured the disputed region, and nearly all ethnic Armenians were displaced. This didn't represent the first such expulsion in this conflict: in the 1990s half a million Azerbaijani citizens became refugees.

Global Participants

American diplomatic efforts were enabled because of Russia's weakened position in the South Caucasus.

Over time, the Kremlin worked towards re-opening the route that now bears US presidential designation.

Despite Moscow's suggestion for its FSB border troops to protect the planned route has been rejected, they still patrol the stretch of the Armenian-Iranian frontier that has been chosen for the peace corridor.

The southern Armenian province is also a key hub for its exports, and businessmen and trucks from Iran commonly appear. Iranian construction companies are building a new bridge that will cross the future Tripp.

This border waterway that separates the Islamic Republic and Armenia represents the exact path the corridor will traverse.

Remains uncertain how the US and Iranian companies will co-exist in Armenia, considering American participation in the Israel‑Iran war.

Regional Cooperation Prospects

There is also increased European presence in southern Armenia.

France has recently started selling weapons to Yerevan and established diplomatic representation in Syunik. European Union observers is deployed to the region, and the proposed corridor is seen by the EU as part of a "middle corridor" connecting Europe to Asian markets and avoiding Russian territory.

Turkey is also eager to capitalize on opportunities arising from diminished Moscow presence.

Ankara is in talks with Yerevan to establish diplomatic ties and has voiced support for Tripp, which would create a direct link from Turkey to Azerbaijan through the separated region.

Armenia's government shows composure about multiple international stakes. It wants to become a "International Peace Junction" where every neighboring nation will co-operate.

"They say everything will be fine and that we can expect massive European investment, modern infrastructure and trade with Iran, America, Europe, Turkey and Azerbaijan," Marut Vanyan says with an incredulous smile.

A formal peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia has not yet been signed, but one thing is clear: since the Washington meeting, not a single shot has occurred on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

Trump's intervention has brought at least temporary relief to those who for years have lived in fear of resumed hostilities.