In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Pashinyan as “a great friend and leader” and endorsed his re-election bid, citing shared goals of “peace and prosperity” in the South Caucasus.

The endorsement comes as Armenia seeks to reduce its historic dependence on Russia following Azerbaijan’s 2023 takeover of the Karabakh region, which triggered the exodus of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians.

Trump also highlighted the planned “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), a transit corridor agreed under a U.S.-brokered peace framework that would link Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory.

Trump said the corridor would expand regional connectivity and create opportunities for U.S. energy companies to access routes stretching from Central Asia toward global markets.

Pashinyan thanked Trump in a post on X, while the endorsement followed a visit to Armenia by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a regional diplomatic tour.

Wale secured 26 votes against 22 for rival candidate Peter Shanel Agovaka in a parliamentary ballot announced by Governor General David Tiva Kapu.
“We take government at a difficult time, given what is happening throughout the world,” Wale said after his election.

“We are not immune from the impacts of these geopolitical events,” he added.

The leadership transition comes at a sensitive moment for the Pacific island nation, whose growing strategic relationship with China has drawn scrutiny from the United States, Australia and regional allies.

Located about 1,600 kilometers northeast of Australia, the Solomon Islands has become a focal point of geopolitical competition in the Pacific since signing a security pact with China in 2022.

Wale had previously emerged as one of the agreement’s most vocal domestic critics, warning the deal could undermine regional security arrangements and strain ties with traditional partners including Australia and the United States.

However, his stance toward Beijing appeared to soften in recent years. In 2025, Wale led a delegation to China where he praised the country’s economic development and reaffirmed support for the “one-China” policy, according to a statement released by the Chinese Communist Party.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese congratulated Wale after the vote and signaled Canberra’s intention to maintain close engagement with the new government.

“Congratulations to Matthew Wale, on being appointed Prime Minister of Solomon Islands. I look forward to working together to continue strengthening our economic, development and security partnership,” Albanese said in a post on X.

The Solomon Islands has experienced repeated political turbulence in recent years as external powers deepen engagement across the Pacific through security agreements, infrastructure projects and economic aid programs.