Galuzin: The Trump Route would only benefit from Russian  participation

ArmInfo.  The "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP) project would only benefit from Russian participation, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.

Regarding the project, the Russian diplomat noted that the so-called  "Trump Route" did not emerge in a vacuum. According to Galuzin, back  in 2022–2023, all issues related to the restoration of transport and  economic links in the South Caucasus were thoroughly discussed within  the framework of a trilateral working group comprising Russia,  Azerbaijan, and Armenia at the level of deputy heads of government.  He recalled that the restoration of such ties was part of the  trilateral Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani agreements aimed at resolving  the well-known conflict.

"In fact, it was precisely then that the modalities for restoring  railway communications were discussed, including the modalities for  establishing links or interconnecting the railway networks of Armenia  and Azerbaijan. It is another matter that this dialogue within the  trilateral working group was interrupted, and not through our fault.  Continuing it now is extremely difficult because, as I understand it,  Armenia has promised 49% of the future railway's authorized capital  to the American side. But in any case, recent events demonstrate that  the implementation of the 'Trump Route' project certainly faces  ambiguous prospects," said the Deputy Foreign Minister.

As an example, he cited the unprovoked aggression against Iran by the  United States and Israel. Galuzin believes that after this  aggression, the Iranian side is unlikely to be pleased with a United  States presence situated directly north of its borders.

Furthermore, he noted expert opinion suggesting that China is  unlikely to be satisfied with the U.S.  controlling a segment of the  transport and logistics route from Central Asia to  Europe—specifically the route connecting China to Central Asia and  subsequently to Europe—in the form of the "Trump Route." "Thus, the  prospects are ambiguous, and we believe the project would only  benefit from Russian participation. Firstly, by all appearances, the  track will need to be built to the Russian gauge standard to ensure  seamless connectivity with Azerbaijan. Furthermore, the Armenian  railways are managed by the South Caucasus Railway company, a  subsidiary of Russian Railways (RZD). Transit through Armenia—  incidentally, this brings us back to the Eurasian Economic Union—must  be carried out in accordance with the norms and regulations of the  Eurasian Economic Union, which Armenia has stated it does not wish to  leave," he explained.

"Finally, the 'Trump Route' will pass through a zone guarded by  Russian border guards, who for decades have served alongside their  Armenian colleagues to protect Armenia's borders with Turkey and  Iran.  Therefore, one way or another, Russia's opinion must be taken  into account, and the opinion of the Eurasian Economic Union must be  taken into account. We believe that the project would only benefit  from Russian participation," Galuzin concluded.