Key Highlights
- The 123 Agreement: A formal legal framework now allows the United States to export sensitive nuclear technology, equipment, and fuel to Armenia.
- Economic Scale: The deal is valued at approximately $9 billion, including $5 billion in initial technology exports and $4 billion in long-term fuel and maintenance contracts.
- Energy Independence: The agreement paves the way for American small modular reactors (SMRs) to replace Armenia’s aging, Soviet,era Metsamor nuclear plant.
- TRIPP Corridor: The visit accelerated the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity,” a 43,kilometer strategic transit corridor in southern Armenia designed to bypass Russia and Iran.
- Security and Tech Boost: Alongside nuclear talks, the U.S. approved an $11 million sale of V,BAT reconnaissance drones and a $4 billion AI data center project powered by NVIDIA hardware.
In a historic first for the region, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance arrived in Yerevan on Monday, February 9, 2026, to finalize a sweeping civil nuclear agreement with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. This visit, the first ever by a sitting U.S. Vice President to Armenia, marks the culmination of months of rapid diplomatic realignment following a U.S.,brokered peace framework between Armenia and Azerbaijan in late 2025.
The centerpiece of the visit is the “123 Agreement,” a critical legal prerequisite that enables American companies to compete in Armenia’s energy market. For decades, Armenia has been tethered to Moscow through its reliance on the Metsamor nuclear plant, a facility built during the Soviet era that currently provides nearly 40% of the country’s electricity. With Metsamor nearing the end of its operational life, the new agreement allows Armenia to seriously consider American modular reactor technology alongside competing bids from Russia, China, France, and South Korea.
Bypassing Traditional Powers: The TRIPP Project
A major pillar of the discussions was the implementation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP). This 43,kilometer (27,mile) corridor through Armenia’s southern Syunik province is envisioned as a transformative trade link connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave and Turkey.
Crucially, the TRIPP plan ensures that while the land remains under Armenian sovereignty, the infrastructure will be developed and overseen by a U.S.,led consortium. By establishing this route, Washington and Yerevan intend to create a “Middle Corridor” for Asia,to,Europe trade that entirely bypasses the traditional transit routes controlled by Russia and Iran. Vice President Vance described the initiative as a “path to prosperity” that embeds American economic interests directly into the region’s stability.
Defense and High-Tech Integration
The scope of the partnership extends beyond energy. During the joint press conference, Vance confirmed the U.S. government has approved the sale of V,BAT reconnaissance drones to the Armenian military, a move aimed at bolstering border security as the country seeks to move away from its traditional reliance on Russian defense systems.
Furthermore, a massive $4 billion AI infrastructure project, known as “Firebird,” was announced. This initiative will bring advanced NVIDIA hardware and supercomputing data centers to Armenia, positioning the small nation as a burgeoning tech hub in the Caucasus. Analysts suggest these high,tech and defense commitments are intended to provide Prime Minister Pashinyan with tangible “peace dividends” ahead of the critical parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7, 2026.
Shifting the Regional Balance
The 123 Agreement and the TRIPP initiative represent a significant setback for Moscow’s influence in its traditional “near abroad.” While Russia’s state nuclear agency, Rosatom, continues to offer its own “comprehensive” packages to Yerevan, the momentum has clearly shifted toward Washington.
Armenian officials emphasized that diversifying energy partners is now a “top political priority.” By securing American commitments in nuclear energy, AI, and transit infrastructure, Armenia is effectively building a Western,oriented security and economic architecture, potentially ending a century of singular dependence on its northern neighbor.
