U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance raised the issue of prisoner release during his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku, according to Vance’s spokesperson, as reported by RFE/RL
“President Aliyev and Vice President Vance discussed next steps in President Trump’s initiative to establish peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. They focused on trade and prosperity, technology and diplomatic relations, and discussed next steps, including agreements and permissions related to the Trump Route to International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), as well as confidence-building measures such as prisoner releases, U.S. investment, and regional economic integration,” the spokesperson stated.
However, the U.S. side has not disclosed how the Azerbaijani leadership responded or whether any agreements were reached on this matter.
Before arriving in Baku, Vance had stated in Yerevan that he intended to raise the issue of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan. Some of these detainees have received lengthy prison sentences, while others have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
