One year after signing the Washington Declaration, the United States is consolidating its political and economic presence in the South Caucasus, while France is gradually losing the influence it has built in Armenia. At the same time, despite the closeness to Washington, Armenia maintains its economic ties with Russia, keeping the channel to Moscow open.
On August 10, the United States, Azerbaijan, and Armenia adopted a joint statement on the occasion of the first anniversary of the White House summit. The three parties reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the agreements reached on August 8, 2025, including the TRIPP project, mutual recognition of sovereignty, and the development of new transport and economic links in the South Caucasus, according to Anadolu Agency.
France, excluded from the TRIPP project
The strengthening of Washington’s role in the region comes in parallel with the diminishing influence of Paris. France has remained outside the TRIPP project, and the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has not yet initiated the inclusion of Paris in this strategic project.
The decision has caused dissatisfaction in France. The political publication Le Journal du Dimanche described the TRIPP agreement as a serious blow to France and even as a “betrayal”.
According to the French publication, within the framework of the agreement, Pasinian accepted a 99-year lease contract, through which the United States would obtain 75% control of the company responsible for building the infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and railways. In this context, Paris remains outside one of the most important regional projects.
“Its content represents a stinging affront to France, aggravated by a betrayal considering Paris’ long-standing efforts to mediate and maintain peace. The Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, has accepted a 99-year lease contract, ceding 75% of the control of the company responsible for building roads, bridges, railways, and developing energy and digital infrastructure to the American side. Yerevan retains the remaining 25%, with the possibility for Armenia to later increase its stake to 49%; however, Paris is practically excluded from this major project for the region,” writes Le Journal du Dimanche.
A close associate of Pașinian, considered a channel of Paris, was dismissed
Another signal regarding the shift in the balance of influence in Yerevan was the dismissal, on July 31, of Araik Harutiunian, the head of the Armenian Prime Minister’s administration.
Harutiunian was considered one of the main promoters of the relationship with France within the government in Yerevan. According to some sources cited in the analysis regarding the changes in Pashinyan’s entourage, he was allegedly recruited by the French intelligence services and would have provided Paris with information about the internal political developments and the plans of the Armenian Prime Minister’s team.
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