Former President Robert Kocharyan argued that the United States has “no real economic interests” in the South Caucasus and that its involvement in regional connectivity projects such as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) contradicts its global policy of containing China.

“What interest does the U.S. have? There’s simply no economic interest; look at the trade figures,” Kocharyan said at an October 7 press conference. “The U.S. is pursuing a policy of containing China, while Aliyev says in China that the corridor is key for linking China with Europe. That’s a contradiction.”

He accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government of making excessive concessions, saying Armenia has become “a ball in a major geopolitical game.” Kocharyan proposed revising the TRIPP project to favor Armenia, suggesting two options: either expand the initiative with U.S. support or, failing that, build Armenia’s section independently while maintaining the “Trump Route” name.

He warned that U.S. presence near the Armenia–Iran border would pose risks given Tehran’s opposition to border changes. He also claimed the project’s cost estimates were exaggerated, arguing that “a motorway can be built for $43 million” and existing railways could be restored cheaply using Armenia’s reserve funds.

Kocharyan contended that the corridor mainly serves Turkish, Azerbaijani, and Israeli interests. He alleged that the signed document differentiates TRIPP from other routes, suggesting limited Armenian control. “Whether it’s a lease or a concession, such clauses will sharply narrow Armenia’s sphere of influence — nearly to zero,” he said.

On the peace process, Kocharyan said the initialed Armenia–Azerbaijan agreement would only be meaningful if guaranteed internationally. “If the treaty has no guarantors, it’s just a piece of paper meant for elections, not for peace,” he stated.