ACA Letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio

July 15, 2025

The Honorable Marco Rubio

Secretary of State

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street, NW

Washington, DC 20520

Dear Mr. Secretary,

We welcomed President Donald J. Trump’s recent remarks during his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, in which he suggested that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan may be within reach. This expression of optimism represents a constructive development and highlights the importance of sustained efforts to promote stability in the region.

The Armenian American community shares in this cautious optimism. However, we remain deeply concerned that a lasting and durable peace will require meaningful security guarantees for the Republic of Armenia. This includes the complete withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from sovereign Armenian territory, as well as the establishment of enforceable consequences for any violations of future agreements.

We also call for an immediate and robust U.S. diplomatic engagement with Azerbaijan to secure the release of all illegally imprisoned Armenian detainees. These detentions are in clear violation of international law and sustainable peace cannot be achieved while such human rights violations continue unchecked.

Further, the 2023 forced displacement of more than 120,000 Armenians from the Republic of Artsakh resulted in a profound humanitarian crisis. We urge the United States to advocate for guarantees to the safe and dignified return of these displaced Armenians to their homes within their ancestral homeland.

The United States must increase diplomatic pressures on Azerbaijan to ensure that peace efforts are just and sustainable.

Sincerely,

Harry Unell

Policy Director

The Armenian Council of America