His Holiness Aram I Urges Trump to Pressure Azerbaijan on Armenian POW Release
In an appeal to the United States, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has sent a formal letter to President Donald Trump following his inauguration. The spiritual leader congratulated Trump on assuming office and expressed hope that his presidency would mark the beginning of a "Golden Age" in modern U.S. history.
Aram I commended Trump’s inaugural speech, noting that it outlined priorities rooted in faith and commitment. He particularly emphasized the president’s self-identification as a "peace-maker," a title that comes with great responsibility in a world facing numerous conflicts. The letter emphasized that the United States is uniquely positioned to lead global peace efforts, a mission that could alter the course of history.
One of the key concerns raised by His Holiness was the ongoing humanitarian crisis involving Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan. Aram I reminded President Trump of his pre-election statements condemning Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). Trump had previously recognized the right of indigenous Armenians to return to their homeland and stressed the importance of restoring peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In his letter, Aram I urged President Trump to act on these commitments, specifically by advocating for the immediate and unconditional release of Armenian prisoners held in Baku. According to the Catholicos, dozens of Armenian captives have been detained for over a year, including former presidents, prime ministers, and political leaders of Artsakh. Their trials, which began on January 17, 2025, have been conducted behind closed doors without international oversight or due legal process.
His Holiness appealed to Trump to directly address Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on this matter. He stressed that Azerbaijan’s failure to release these prisoners violates its obligations under international law. Aram I believes that securing their freedom would serve multiple purposes: advancing the peace process, building goodwill between Armenia and Azerbaijan, creating a stable environment for Armenians to return to Artsakh, and reinforcing Trump’s commitment to global peace efforts.
The letter concluded with a prayer for President Trump’s leadership at this critical moment in history. His Holiness expressed his eagerness to continue discussions with the U.S. administration to ensure that the Armenian people’s concerns are addressed.
Aram I’s appeal reflects the deep concerns of Armenians worldwide regarding the fate of the prisoners and the broader geopolitical tensions in the South Caucasus. His call for U.S. intervention shows the urgency of resolving this humanitarian issue and moving towards a lasting peace in the region. The response from the Trump administration to this plea remains to be seen, but it could have significant implications for U.S. involvement in Armenian-Azerbaijani relations moving forward. In an appeal to the United States, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has sent a formal letter to President Donald Trump following his inauguration. The spiritual leader congratulated Trump on assuming office and expressed hope that his presidency would mark the beginning of a "Golden Age" in modern U.S. history.
Aram I commended Trump’s inaugural speech, noting that it outlined priorities rooted in faith and commitment. He particularly emphasized the president’s self-identification as a "peace-maker," a title that comes with great responsibility in a world facing numerous conflicts. The letter emphasized that the United States is uniquely positioned to lead global peace efforts, a mission that could alter the course of history.
One of the key concerns raised by His Holiness was the ongoing humanitarian crisis involving Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan. Aram I reminded President Trump of his pre-election statements condemning Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). Trump had previously recognized the right of indigenous Armenians to return to their homeland and stressed the importance of restoring peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In his letter, Aram I urged President Trump to act on these commitments, specifically by advocating for the immediate and unconditional release of Armenian prisoners held in Baku. According to the Catholicos, dozens of Armenian captives have been detained for over a year, including former presidents, prime ministers, and political leaders of Artsakh. Their trials, which began on January 17, 2025, have been conducted behind closed doors without international oversight or due legal process.
His Holiness appealed to Trump to directly address Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on this matter. He stressed that Azerbaijan’s failure to release these prisoners violates its obligations under international law. Aram I believes that securing their freedom would serve multiple purposes: advancing the peace process, building goodwill between Armenia and Azerbaijan, creating a stable environment for Armenians to return to Artsakh, and reinforcing Trump’s commitment to global peace efforts.
The letter concluded with a prayer for President Trump’s leadership at this critical moment in history. His Holiness expressed his eagerness to continue discussions with the U.S. administration to ensure that the Armenian people’s concerns are addressed.
Aram I’s appeal reflects the deep concerns of Armenians worldwide regarding the fate of the prisoners and the broader geopolitical tensions in the South Caucasus. His call for U.S. intervention shows the urgency of resolving this humanitarian issue and moving towards a lasting peace in the region. The response from the Trump administration to this plea remains to be seen, but it could have significant implications for U.S. involvement in Armenian-Azerbaijani relations moving forward.
