Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin
The implementation of the so-called “Trump Route,” which envisions the unblocking of transport routes in the South Caucasus, is faced with a number of political and geopolitical factors, and Russia’s participation would make this project more viable, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said.
He said the restoration of transport and economic ties between Armenia and Azerbaijan were discussed back in 2022-2023 within the framework of the trilateral working group operating at the level of Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan deputy prime ministers. And it was then that the conditions for the restoration of railway communication and the connection of the railways of the two countries were agreed upon.
“It is not our fault that these discussions and dialogue within the framework of the trilateral working group were interrupted,” Galuzin said.
He noted that the continuation of work in the previous format has now become more difficult, since, according to him, Armenia “has promised 49 percent of the authorized capital of the future railway to the American side.”
At the same time, Galuzin expressed doubts about the prospects of this project. In his opinion, after the United States and Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran is unlikely to positively perceive the possible U.S. presence on its northern borders. In addition, the Russian diplomat cited the opinion of analysts, according to which China may also not be interested in America overseeing over a section of the transport corridor between Central Asia and Europe.
The Russian deputy foreign minister stated that the participation of the Russian side, on the contrary, could contribute to the implementation of the project.
In particular, he noted that the railway should most likely be built along the Russian-wide railway line to ensure uninterrupted communication with Azerbaijan. In addition, the Armenian railways are under the management of the South Caucasus Railway CJSC, which is a subsidiary of the Russian Railways company, and transit through the territory of Armenia, according to him, should be carried out in accordance with the norms of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Galuzin also recalled that the planned route passes through the section of the Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Iranian borders, which are jointly monitored by Russian border guards, with their Armenian counterparts.
“One way or another, Russia’s opinion must be taken into account, the opinion of the Eurasian Economic Union must be taken into account. We believe that the project would only benefit from the participation of the Russian side,” he said.
Speaking about the presence of Russian border guards in Armenia, Galuzin stated that Moscow relies on the implementation of the 1992 agreement regulating their activities on the Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Iranian borders, and has not received any signals about a possible revision of these agreements.
He added that the Russian side has not received any signal from Yerevan about a possible revision of the agreement on the deployment of the Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri, which is scheduled to expire in 2044.
“The Armenian side officially declared that Yerevan is not considering the issue of withdrawing the Russian military base from Gyumri,” Galuzin noted.
He said Russia considers the Gyumri military base as one of the key elements of ensuring the security of both Armenia and the entire South Caucasus. Also, he stated that attempts by individual political forces and pro-Western NGOs to present the Russian military presence in Armenia as an “instrument of occupation” do not find any support among the local population.
And commenting on the hypothetical possibility of Armenia joining the European Union under the conditions of maintaining the Russian military base, the Russian deputy foreign minister noted that this issue should be decided by the Armenian side itself. According to him, Russia relies on the existing agreement, intends to fulfill its respective obligations, and expects a similar approach from Armenia.
—