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U.S. Vice President JD Vance signed nuclear energy and strategic partnership agreements during official visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan, opening the way for up to $9 billion in U.S. nuclear-related exports to Armenia and launching a new bilateral framework with Azerbaijan.
The Armenia stop marks the first time a sitting U.S. president or vice president has paid an official visit to the country, according to the released information. Agreements signed during the trip cover civilian nuclear cooperation, defense technology sales and broader security coordination.
Armenia and the United States signed a joint declaration in Yerevan on completing negotiations for a civilian nuclear cooperation deal focused on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The document was signed after talks between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Vice President Vance.
According to the signed framework, the arrangements allow U.S. companies to provide about $9 billion worth of nuclear-related goods and services to Armenia. Vance said the deal includes American small modular reactors, a newer type of nuclear reactor built in smaller, factory-made units rather than large traditional plants.
He stated that once fully implemented, the agreement will allow U.S. and Armenian firms to sign contracts on civilian nuclear projects. Vance said the initial phase could support up to $5 billion in U.S. exports, with a further $4 billion possible over the long term through fuel supply and maintenance contracts.
During the joint press conference, Pashinyan said the agreement would support Armenia’s efforts to diversify its energy sources and thanked the United States for long-term support in nuclear safety.
He also announced that Armenia purchased V-BAT reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, a U.S. government channel that manages defense exports to partner countries.
Vance said the package includes “11 million dollars of surveillance/reconnaissance drone technology” and added that the systems would be used to help secure the country and support lasting peace. He also said the sale would translate into more jobs and investment in the U.S. defense technology sector.
After Armenia, Vance traveled to Azerbaijan, where he met President Ilham Aliyev and signed a document titled "Strategic Partnership Charter between the Government of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United States."
Following the signing ceremony, Aliyev said they were honored to establish a strategic partnership with the United States, which he described as "the most powerful state in the world."
Aliyev thanked U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Vance for their contributions to peace efforts in the Caucasus region and recalled that Azerbaijan and Armenia initialed a peace agreement text on Aug. 8, 2025, in Trump’s presence.
He said, "We now live in peace, we are learning to live in peace," and noted that Azerbaijan has allowed transit shipments to Armenia and started commercial trade by selling petroleum products.
Aliyev said one outcome of the peace process is a planned transport route project called the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, abbreviated as TRIPP. He said the corridor would connect different parts of Azerbaijan and extend through Armenia to link Asia and Europe, with other neighboring countries also expected to join.
He said the newly signed strategic partnership charter covers multiple sectors, including security, counterterrorism and energy cooperation. Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan supplies natural gas that contributes to the energy security of 16 countries, including 11 NATO members that are U.S. allies.
He also said the two countries are opening a new phase of cooperation in the defense industry and that establishing artificial intelligence centers forms part of the bilateral agenda.
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