A peace push backed by U.S. President Donald Trump leaves Azerbaijan and Armenia just one step from a final peace deal and is a paradigm shift in the strategically important South Caucasus region, a top Azerbaijani diplomat said on Saturday.

The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan shook hands as they joined President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday for a peace summit where they signed an agreement aimed at ending decades of conflict.

Language in the "peace deal" will give the U.S. exclusive rights to develop a key transit route that will be named after Trump.