Trump Endorses Armenian PM Pashinyan Ahead of Critical Parliamentary Election]

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for re-election ahead of the country’s pivotal June 7 parliamentary vote, framing it as a strategic opportunity for regional transformation.

The upcoming election represents a crucial test of Pashinyan’s balancing act between reducing Armenian dependency on Russia while strengthening ties with the West. The South Caucasus nation continues to recover from last year’s Azerbaijani military takeover of the Karabakh region and the subsequent displacement of 100,000 ethnic Armenians.

As part of a US-brokered peace agreement, Armenia committed to establishing a transit corridor connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave — dubbed the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP). Trump highlighted this initiative in his endorsement post, stating that it “will transform the South Caucasus, and help our wonderful American Energy Companies gain access from Central Asia all the way to the United States.”

In his Truth Social message, Trump praised Pashinyan as “a great friend and Leader” who is “making his Country strong, wealthy, and very secure,” adding, “Nikol completely shares my vision of PEACE and PROSPERITY for Armenia and the entire South Caucasus region.” He concluded with his characteristic emphasis: “For these reasons, Nikol has my COMPLETE and TOTAL Endorsement for Re-Election on June 7, 2026.”

Pashinyan acknowledged Trump’s support via social media, thanking the US president for his “high appreciation and friendly words.”

The endorsement followed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Armenia during his recent tour of South Asia, though Trump noted that Rubio had “advanced several important Deals for both our Countries.”

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