Overview
- Speaking at an APEC CEO lunch, Trump praised his peacemaking role but appeared unable to name Armenia, referencing only Azerbaijan and describing a conflict of “38 years.”
- He said “we saved millions and millions of lives,” and pantomimed reconciliation by moving his fists together, claiming the leaders were “hugging” after an hour at the White House.
- Trump asserted that Vladimir Putin lauded his efforts, invoking Russia’s past involvement in ceasefire arrangements between the two countries.
- The moment extends a documented pattern, following a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer where he mixed up Armenia and Albania, plus similar slips on Fox News and a conservative radio show.
- The White House highlighted an Armenia–Azerbaijan normalization push in August, though experts note implementation remains pending and fact-checks dispute Trump’s sweeping claims of ending multiple wars.