U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance arrived in Armenia on February 9 for a two-day official visit with First Lady Usha Vance, meeting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and signing a joint statement concluding negotiations on a U.S.-Armenia peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement, while also announcing $9 billion in planned U.S. engagement in Armenia’s nuclear energy sector and confirming an $11 million U.S. Foreign Military Sales deal tied to Armenia’s acquisition of U.S. V-BAT drones.
At the airport, Vance was welcomed by Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, Mayor of Yerevan Tigran Avinyan, and Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States, Narek Mkrtchyan. The American delegation also includes Jacob Helberg, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs. Notably, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Kristina Kvien, concluded her tenure in mid-January, leaving the post vacant during the vice president’s visit.
During the visit, he met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The meeting concluded with the signing of a Joint Statement on the Completion of Negotiations of an Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.
At a joint press conference, Vice President Vance announced $9 billion in planned U.S. engagement in Armenia’s nuclear energy sector, including an initial $5 billion, with an additional $4 billion to follow. He said the agreement would pave the way for future projects by American and Armenian companies, strengthening both countries’ energy ties.
According to Pashinyan, the agreement will open a new chapter in deepening the energy partnership between Armenia and the United States, contributing to the diversification of Armenia’s energy resources through the introduction of safe and innovative technologies.
The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude for the United States’ long-standing support in nuclear security and reaffirmed his readiness to further develop sectoral cooperation in areas of mutual importance.
Vance also highlighted the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project, describing it as a transformative initiative that “will open a new world in the region for international trade, transit, and energy flows, and will provide unprecedented connectivity between Armenia and neighboring countries.”
He added that the project will channel significant private capital into Armenia, creating economic and regional interconnectedness.
“Armenia is one of the oldest Christian nations. I am confident that you have the opportunity not only to establish lasting and irreversible peace, but also to position Armenia as a strong hub for economic development in the region, bringing prosperity to the Armenian people and positively impacting the American people as well,” said Vance.
Armenia has acquired U.S. V-BAT drones with proven operational effectiveness, Pashinyan said, adding that the $11 million deal under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program will lay the groundwork for future defense cooperation. He said the acquisition follows three consecutive years of joint “Eagle Partner” military exercises and will significantly contribute to strengthening Armenia’s defense capabilities.
Pashinyan also said Armenia and the United States are committed to developing a mutually beneficial partnership in securing the extraction and supply chains of critical minerals and rare earths. He added that the sides also discussed institutional reforms in Armenia and the continuation of bilateral cooperation.
Describing the visit as “a key step toward institutionalizing peace and expanding the Armenia-U.S. strategic partnership,” Pashinyan stressed its historical and symbolic significance amid unprecedented conditions for peace and stability in the South Caucasus.
He briefed Vance on recent talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Abu Dhabi, highlighting discussions on comprehensive regional unblocking as a cornerstone of lasting peace. He also emphasized the importance of advancing Armenia-Turkey normalization, including reopening the Gyumri-Kars railway.
Pashinyan also announced that he had accepted an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to attend the first session of the Peace Council on February 19, which includes 27 members, among them Pashinyan and Aliyev.
Outside the presidential residence where the meeting took place, a group of citizens held a protest, carrying photos of Armenians imprisoned and sentenced in Baku and chanting for the release of Armenian captives.
The protest was attended by Mane Tandilyan, leader of the “Aprelu Yerkir” party, former Armenian Human Rights Defender Larisa Alaverdyan, former Artsakh Human Rights Defender Artak Beglaryan, and others.
The visit comes six months after the Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan was initialed under U.S. mediation in August 2025.
Vice President Vance is expected to travel next to Azerbaijan as part of his regional visit.
