The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Eurasianet has reported that leaders from the Caucasus and Central Asia have converged on Washington to take part in the inaugural “Board of Peace” gathering organized by the Trump administration.
According to the report, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kassym-Jomart
Tokayev are visiting the United States for the third time in six months to
attend the meeting in Washington, D.C. In addition to participating in board
discussions on Feb. 19, Mirziyoyev plans to hold business-related meetings,
while Tokayev is scheduled to meet executives of major American companies.
The gathering is expected to focus on Gaza’s reconstruction.
Several European Union leaders and the Vatican reportedly declined invitations
to attend. Nikol Pashinyan has confirmed his participation, while unconfirmed
reports suggest that Ilham Aliyev may also travel to Washington.
Separately, in Armenia, Karekin II has reportedly been
temporarily barred from leaving the country amid a criminal investigation
related to his removal of an archbishop who supports Pashinyan. The Armenian
prime minister has been engaged in a nearly year-long dispute with the church
leader over modernization policies.
In Azerbaijan, a military court has sentenced Ruben
Vardanyan to 20 years in prison on charges including crimes against humanity
and financing terrorist activity during the 2020–2023 conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh, according to the state-run Azertac news agency. Vardanyan,
who briefly held a senior political role in Karabakh, was among eight Armenians
detained in 2023 after Azerbaijani forces regained control of the territory. He
maintains that he is a political prisoner.
In Georgia, the prosecution of independent journalist Mzia
Amaglobeli in 2025 was marred by violations of international law, according to
a legal review conducted by the Clooney Foundation for Justice. Prosecutors
initially sought a seven-year sentence on assault charges but later reduced the
charge, resulting in a two-year prison term. The foundation said key defense
rights were breached during the proceedings.
Meanwhile, across the Caspian region, special
representatives on Afghanistan from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and
Tajikistan met in Astana on Feb. 17 to discuss expanding engagement with the
Taliban on trade and regional connectivity. Kazakhstan’s envoy, Yerkin Tukumov,
described improved relations with Afghanistan as a strategic priority,
emphasizing the importance of coordinating regional approaches and improving
Afghan railway infrastructure.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have signed agreements aimed at
increasing cross-border rail cargo capacity to more than 60 million tons
annually. In 2025, the two countries recorded just over 30 million tons in
cross-border traffic. Uzbekistan, Iran and Turkey have also agreed to integrate
transport infrastructure to facilitate transit.
In Kyrgyzstan, the Supreme Court ruled out the possibility
of an early presidential election and set the next vote for Jan. 24, 2027.
Allies of former security chief Kamchybek Tashiev had advocated for an early
poll.
In Tajikistan, Prosecutor General Khabibullo Vohidzoda said
405 individuals were released from criminal liability in 2025 after President
Emomali Rahmon decriminalized social media reactions, including likes and
reposts, related to content deemed extremist. Authorities reported a 23 percent
decline in investigations linked to suspected extremist or terrorist activity
compared with the previous year.
Turkmenistan’s top leader, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, has
begun an extended visit to the United States, according to the Turkmen Foreign
Ministry. The ministry described the trip as a major diplomatic event and said
Berdymukhamedov would meet American business leaders to discuss investment
projects. His direct involvement suggests the potential for significant
agreements, as he remains the central decision-maker in Ashgabat.
