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.

The aircraft was en route to Armenia when the incident occurred, where Sanchez was scheduled to attend a meeting of the European Political Community.

Spanish authorities said the delegation would remain overnight in Ankara before continuing the journey on Monday.

No details were provided regarding the nature of the technical problem.European leaders are gathering in Yerevan for the EPC meeting, which is set to begin Monday.