Russia Gives Green Light to Trump Route Near Iran Border

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow is ready to take part in the Trump Route project, which connects Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan via Armenian territory.

Sergey Lavrov today (Thursday) in a group of reporters on the sidelines of this summit in Baku, the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in response to a question about the actions of the West in seizing Russian ships and oil tankers, added: The statement of the SICA summit clearly states that all the participating countries support a multilateral and fair trade system, an issue that they have repeatedly agreed to and which is included in international legal documents.

He pointed out that the countries participating in the SICA summit emphasized in the final statement of the summit that they support respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and are opposed to any action that undermines international economic cooperation, including illegal unilateral sanctions.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia continued: These phrases are a common position, which, among other things, also applies to cases of piracy.

A message from Eurasia to the world

In his speech at the SICA summit, Lavrov said: "The system of international relations is undergoing fundamental changes and a new and fairer multipolar world order is emerging before our eyes."

He added: In this context, a clear message from Greater Eurasia is being sent to the world that these countries need common constructive development, equal and indivisible security for all, where the security of one country cannot be guaranteed at the cost of the security of others.

The Russian Foreign Minister said: This issue is clearly reflected in the final statement of the SICA Summit. This approach will strengthen our efforts to create a stable and predictable political and economic environment in the Eurasian continent and facilitate the deepening of mutually beneficial practical cooperation.

The SICA mechanism was proposed in 1992 AD (1371 AD) on the initiative of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the then president of Kazakhstan. Iran is one of the 28 member countries of SICA.

The 7th Summit of SICA was held today, October 15, 2026 (October 23, 1405) in Baku, the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

According to the summit's website, SICA is a multinational forum to strengthen cooperation to promote peace, security and stability in Asia. Its members reaffirm their commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and seek to create a common and indivisible security area through dialogue and cooperation, where countries can coexist peacefully and their peoples enjoy peace, freedom and prosperity.

We have not received any official proposals on the new peace plan

Asked about media reports that the United States and Europe are preparing a "peace plan" to resolve the Ukraine conflict, Lavrov said at a news conference on the sidelines of the SICA summit: "We have certainly read these reports in the Washington Post, the New York Times and other sources because they are now widely circulated, but we have not received any official proposals."

He clarified: Based on what has been leaked to the press about the details of the American and European plan, there are four points, the last of which is the request for an immediate ceasefire along the front line. The details presented in the media do not say anything about how to actually move towards a long-term and sustainable peace, rather than a ceasefire that will be violated by Ukraine and its "European masters".

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia pointed out: Western press is basically formed from leaks and rumors.

Earlier, The Washington Post, citing sources, reported that Washington and Brussels are preparing a joint peace proposal that would provide financial incentives and security guarantees to Russia and Ukraine, as well as create a framework for resolving territorial disputes. It is stated in this article: The draft peace agreement will include four points and will also include Russia's proposal to conclude security and economic agreements with Europe.

Zelensky is not interested in elections

In response to the question of whether Moscow is ready to offer concessions to resolve the conflict with Kiev if presidential elections are held in Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Minister said: (Vladimir) Zelensky (President of Ukraine) has already made it clear that he is not interested in elections because he has set conditions that are clearly unacceptable.

He noted: There will be no ceasefire that Zelensky wants to use to re-equip Ukraine with weapons and continue the conflict.

According to this report, Zelensky's presidential term officially ended on May 20, 2024 (May 30, 1405), but the Kyiv authorities declare that it will be impossible to hold these elections until the martial law established after the military conflict with Russia is abolished.

Recently, the American president emphasized the necessity of holding presidential elections in Ukraine.

Russia is ready to participate in the Trump Road project

In response to a question about the US plan to build a peace road known as the "Trump Road for International Peace and Prosperity" that extends near the northern border of Iran and connects the Republic of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan through the territory of Armenia, the Russian Foreign Minister said: Russia has not received any request from Armenia or the Republic of Azerbaijan to participate in this project, but both sides are aware of Moscow's readiness and capabilities.

Lavrov said: We have repeatedly welcomed this project, the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the agreement reached in Washington, in the form of the positions of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, and we are ready to participate in infrastructure projects, especially in the situation that the Russian Railways Company has concessions in the railway lines of the South Caucasus.

According to Ambassador Arjan, on August 8, 2025 (17 August 1404) and after the meeting of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan President Elham Aliyev with US President Donald Trump, the Armenian side agreed to cooperate with Washington and third parties to create "Trump's path". This road connects the Republic of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan through the territory of Armenia.

Previously, the deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council said: Armenia and the United States share 26 and 74 percent of the joint venture to secure this road, respectively, which poses the risk of the presence of military companies and the establishment of US intelligence infrastructure in this region.

Alexey Shevtsov added: providing security along this route for 49 years will be entrusted to the American-Armenian joint venture that is being established, while the Armenian side will be responsible for border and customs controls.

He stated: This mechanism could mean the entry of American private military companies into the territory of Armenia and the creation of information infrastructure and possibly other American facilities in this country - exactly a few hundred meters away from the border with Iran. Naturally, this situation calls into question the security of the entire route and the transportation operations on it.

The Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council added: By taking control of this route, the United States is creating a "government within a government" in the territory of Armenia; In addition, considering the terms of the agreement and the current US policy - including the recent efforts to "close" the Strait of Hormuz - there is much doubt about the reliability of this transportation corridor in the future.

The next meeting of the 3+3 format can be held in the Republic of Azerbaijan

On Thursday, in response to another question, the Russian Foreign Minister said: Moscow believes that the next meeting of the "3+3" format to resolve the issues of the South Caucasus region can be hosted by the Republic of Azerbaijan.

He added: The summit of this format of cooperation at the level of foreign ministers has been held several times and now we are waiting for Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan to agree on which country will host the next meeting of foreign ministers of this group.

Lavrov continued: I believe that the next meetings of foreign ministers in the format of 3+3 can be held first in the Republic of Azerbaijan and then in Armenia; This will be the right way.

The Russian Foreign Minister stated: The reason why I am talking about this form of cooperation is that it has a comprehensive mechanism and does not pay attention to any specific project outside the regional framework.

The 3+3 format includes three South Caucasus countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia) and three neighboring countries of this region, including Russia, Turkey, and Iran, whose goal is to resolve regional issues by these neighboring countries.