Opposition MP expects Armenia`s authorities to ask US vice president  to pressure Baku to release all Armenian POWs

ArmInfo.  Artur Khachatryan, a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia from the opposition "Armenia" faction, expects the country's authorities to ask US Vice President J.D. Vance to pressure Baku to release all Armenian prisoners of war.

However, in response to journalists' questions on February 9 about  the parliamentarian's expectations for the US Vice President's visit  to Armenia, Artur Khachatryan expressed doubt that the republic's  authorities would actually raise the issue of prisoners of war, but  the opposition and the public must have their say in resolving the  issue.

Another issue the Armenian side should pay attention to is the  unblocking of Armenia's borders. The TRIPP project, the MP noted,  does not address this issue in any way. He emphasized that the  project should provide for the mutual benefits outlined in the  document of August 8, 2025. Meanwhile, in reality, this "mutual  advantage" means everything but unblocking.

"True unblocking will occur when the railway and highway connecting  Yeraskh and the Azerbaijani border near Nakhichevan are operational,  as well as the road from Nakhichevan to Kazakh. Furthermore, if  energy infrastructure must pass through TRIPP, then Armenia should  also be granted the same opportunity based on the principle of  reciprocity. But the Armenian authorities will be afraid to make such  demands on Azerbaijan. The document speaks of the need for a  differentiated approach to Azerbaijan, and that is the essence of the  corridor. Azerbaijan is granted a corridor, and in exchange, Baku  allows the import of goods from third countries through its  territory-import, not export. But we say that everything should be  based on the principle of reciprocity. That is, Armenian trains  should be able to freely enter Azerbaijan from Ijevan and leave the  rail networks of third countries in accordance with the same  regulations," Khachatryan noted.

Regarding nuclear energy projects, the parliamentarian emphasized  that Armenia has no right to abandon nuclear energy, the existence of  which is directly linked to geopolitical considerations. All  countries that possess nuclear power plants have a somewhat different  status. However, it must also be understood that a new nuclear power  plant is not only a matter of power plant construction; it is also  the result of a political agreement.

Artur Khachatryan pointed to US interests in projects with Armenia  related to natural resources and rare earth metals. "The Americans  make no secret of their interest in Syunik's mineral resources. This  doesn't require an expert's opinion; it is clearly spelled out in  Armenian-American documents," the opposition figure emphasized.

On August 8, in Washington, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan,  with US mediation, signed a declaration providing for the creation of  the TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity)  transport route. The route is planned to connect Azerbaijan with  Nakhichevan via southern Armenia and will be managed by an American  consortium. The parties also initialed a draft peace agreement.  Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and US Secretary of State  Marco Rubio signed a declaration on January 14 on the implementation  of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP)  project. A company, TRIPP Development, will be established for  implementation, with the US holding a 74% stake and Armenia holding  26%. Armenia commits to developing procedures for the movement of  people, vehicles, and goods between Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan.

During a briefing on December 18, 2025, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan stated that Armenia had asked Russia to urgently restore  sections of the railway from Yeraskh to the border with Nakhichevan  and from Akhurik to the border with Turkey. On January 24, Trump  announced a visit by US Vice President J.D. Vance to Armenia and  Azerbaijan in February to solidify peace initiatives and advance the  "Trump Path" for international peace and prosperity.