No, Trump did not establish peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan
The State of the Union claim that Trump secured peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan overlooks prisoner sentencing, mistreatment and the need for justice. Win McNamee Getty Images
Letter to the editorBy Avo ManoukianThe Fresno BeeThe State of the Union claim that Trump secured peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan overlooks prisoner sentencing, mistreatment and the need for justice. Win McNamee Getty ImagesReal peace in the South Caucasus“Fact-checking Trump’s State of the Union speech,” (fresnobee.com, Feb. 25)In his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump asserted that he had successfully negotiated peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. While any effort toward stability in the South Caucasus is welcome, this claim does not reflect the reality confronting Armenians today.Peace is not merely the absence of open conflict; it requires justice, accountability and basic human dignity. Azerbaijan’s recent sentencing of Armenian prisoners of war to life imprisonment gravely undermines the prospect of a sustainable and lasting settlement. For the Armenian community, these actions signal continued hostility and collective punishment.No agreement can be considered credible when prisoners of war are handed life sentences under questionable legal processes and amid credible reports of mistreatment. Such measures deepen mistrust and harden divisions at a moment when confidence-building steps are desperately needed.If the administration seeks to advance genuine peace, it must prioritize the immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war and insist on adherence to international humanitarian law. Without these essential steps, declarations of “peace” risk becoming hollow political rhetoric rather than meaningful diplomatic achievement.
