Azerbaijan Starts Fuel Exports to Armenia: A New Chapter in the Caucasus

In a first for decades, Azerbaijan began exporting fuel to Armenia on December 18. A train with 22 tankers of AI-95 gasoline left Azerbaijan for Armenia via Georgia.

This event occurred after a trade deal on November 28 between Azerbaijani and Armenian officials. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the trade, though private, reflected the growing peace between the countries. Armenia's Economy Minister, Gevorg Papoyan, added that "We are trading, not fighting. War brings loss, while trade brings prosperity."

Georgia is supporting regional normalization by waiving transit fees for this initial shipment, said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

Armenia, which gets most of its fuel from Russia, can now diversify its energy sources with this closer, quality alternative from Azerbaijan.

This deal aligns with a larger peace effort. Officials from both countries agreed to respect each other’s borders and drop legal claims in Washington, D.C., on August 8, 2025.

The TRIPP route is part of this peace plan. TRIPP will connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan area through southern Armenia, while respecting Armenia's independence.

These tankers symbolize a move towards normal relations in a conflict-heavy region. This shift from conflict to trade is a hopeful start to 2026 for the South Caucasus.