Trump Calls Catholicos Aram I, Shares Support for Artsakh Issue and Regional Peace Ahead of Election

In the days leading up to the U.S. presidential election, former President Donald Trump has voiced support for Armenian concerns surrounding the invaded Republic of Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh. This development comes during escalating tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan and as the Artsakh issue gains attention among U.S. politicians.

The support was communicated through a recent phone call between Trump and His Holiness Aram I, the head of the Armenian Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, based in Lebanon. According to the Armenian Catholicosate, Trump expressed his gratitude to Aram I for his leadership and reiterated his commitment to supporting Artsakh Armenians. Trump emphasized the importance of peace in the region, calling for “complete peace” and commending the Armenian community in the United States for their active participation and unity.

Trump's recent outreach is seen by many as an attempt to garner support among Armenian-American voters. The Armenian-American community, which has long advocated for the protection of Armenians in Artsakh, has been increasingly vocal about its concerns following the 2023 forced mass exodus of Artsakh Armenians under Azerbaijani invasion. Trump, in his outreach, aligned himself with these concerns, promising a stronger stance on Armenian issues if elected. 

In an earlier post on October 23, Trump specifically criticized his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, for what he described as inaction during the crisis. He condemned the forced displacement of 120,000 Armenians from Artsakh and accused Harris of not intervening to protect Armenian Christians. Trump went further, pledging to “protect persecuted Christians” and restore peace in the region if elected. He contrasted his promise of intervention with the response of the current administration, accusing it of failing to adequately respond to Azerbaijan’s recent actions.

The Armenian-American National Committee of America (ANCA), a significant lobbying group within the Armenian diaspora, has been highly critical of both the current and previous administrations for their response to Azerbaijani aggression. Although ANCA has refrained from endorsing any candidate in the upcoming election, they expressed approval of Trump's recent dialogue with Aram I. The organization described the conversation as an important moment, highlighting Artsakh's central place in American political discussions.

ANCA's statement reflects a growing frustration within the Armenian-American community over the lack of concrete support from Washington. In recent years, ANCA has given low ratings to the Biden administration and previous administrations on Armenian issues, citing a lack of decisive action against Azerbaijan despite international criticism of Baku’s policies toward Artsakh Armenians.

Vice President Kamala Harris has also addressed the Armenian community, expressing sympathy and promising continued support for Armenia. In a September 23 statement, Harris affirmed that Karabakh Armenians should be allowed to return to their homeland safely. However, her statements have faced criticism from Armenian organizations, which claim that the Biden administration failed to act decisively in response to Azerbaijan’s recent actions.

The Armenian question is becoming increasingly visible within American political debates. Trump’s emphasis on protecting Christians and his commitment to the Armenian cause is likely to resonate with a substantial portion of the Armenian-American electorate. Yet, Trump’s opponents argue that his promises are politically motivated rather than grounded in genuine concern.

As both candidates continue to reach out to Armenian-American voters, the international community watches closely to see if U.S. policy on Artsakh and Armenia will change in response to this new wave of attention. With election day approaching, the Armenian-American community remains cautiously hopeful that whichever administration comes next will take their concerns more seriously, ensuring that the crisis in Artsakh and the wider Caucasus region remains a priority in U.S. foreign policy.