The latest geopolitical gaffe by U.S. President Donald Trump has become a subject of ridicule across Europe after Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama openly mocked Trump’s repeated Armenia-Albania mix-up at the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Copenhagen. The exchange, witnessed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, turned into a moment of comic relief at a gathering otherwise dominated by discussions of security, energy, and European unity.

Leaders Laugh at Trump’s Expense

During the Copenhagen summit on October 2, Rama quipped in front of Macron and Aliyev:

"You should make an apology to us because you didn’t congratulate us on the peace deal that President Trump made between Albania and Azerbaijan."

The remark, laced with irony, referenced Trump’s repeated slip-ups in which he confused Albania, a Balkan nation, with Armenia, a South Caucasus country embroiled in a decades-long conflict with Azerbaijan.

The joke immediately drew laughter from Aliyev, who had signed the actual peace agreement with Armenia under U.S. mediation. Macron, playing along, offered mock contrition with a smile, responding: “I am sorry for that.”

The lighthearted moment was widely reported, but it underscored a broader concern among European leaders about Trump’s credibility and grasp of international affairs.

Trump’s Armenia-Albania Confusion

The confusion dates back to Trump’s attempts to take credit for the August 2025 Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal, which was signed in Washington after U.S. mediation. The agreement committed both nations to halting hostilities, reestablishing trade ties, and engaging in confidence-building measures.

Trump has repeatedly touted the deal as one of his biggest diplomatic successes, but his accounts have been riddled with factual errors.

• On Fox News last month, he claimed to have resolved the “unsolvable war between Azerbaijan and Albania.”

• At a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump mispronounced Azerbaijan as “Aber-baijan” and claimed he had brought peace between “Aber-baijan and Albania.”

• On multiple occasions, Trump referred to Albania while describing the Caucasus peace process, sparking confusion and amusement among both journalists and diplomats.

These repeated misstatements have now become fodder for European leaders, who openly mock Trump’s geographical knowledge in private and, increasingly, in public forums.

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Trump’s Broader Record of Geographical Slip-Ups

Trump’s tendency to mix up countries and leaders is not new. His geographical blunders have been well-documented throughout his presidency and beyond.

Some of the most notable include:

• In 2023, he referred to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as “the leader of Turkey” and falsely claimed Hungary shares a “front” with Russia.

• Ahead of a summit with Vladimir Putin, he told reporters, “We’re going to Russia,” though the meeting was held in Alaska.

• At another appearance, he bizarrely claimed to have ended a conflict between Cambodia and Armenia—two nations separated by over 7,000 kilometers and with no history of conflict.

• While addressing Middle East diplomacy, he mistakenly said he had reduced tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia, portraying ongoing disputes over the Nile River dam project as though they had been an active war.

These repeated gaffes have fueled criticism that Trump often lacks preparation and relies on vague or inaccurate talking points when discussing foreign affairs.

Claims of Ending ‘Seven Wars’

Central to Trump’s narrative is his claim that he has “ended seven wars” since returning to office in January 2025. He frequently cites the Armenia-Azerbaijan deal as part of this tally, presenting it as proof of his diplomatic prowess and evidence that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.

However, fact-checks by major news outlets, including the Associated Press, have shown that many of Trump’s claims are misleading or outright false:

• The Armenia-Azerbaijan deal is real but was inaccurately described by Trump as an Albania-related peace deal.

• His supposed role in resolving Serbia-Kosovo tensions has been grossly exaggerated, with European mediators leading the process.

• His claims of easing India-Pakistan tensions have been denied by India, which insists no U.S. mediation took place.

• Other alleged peace achievements, such as “ending wars” in Africa, have little to no factual basis.

This pattern has made Trump’s statements a source of skepticism and ridicule among allies and adversaries alike.

European Reaction and Diplomatic Implications

The laughter in Copenhagen reflects more than just amusement. European leaders see Trump’s repeated mistakes as emblematic of a larger diplomatic problem: the difficulty of relying on the U.S. under Trump for coherent and consistent foreign policy.

While Macron and Aliyev joined Rama in joking, officials privately expressed concern that Trump’s credibility as a negotiator could be undermined by his frequent slip-ups. Diplomats also worry that his mistakes may embolden adversaries, who could exploit his errors to challenge U.S. authority on the global stage.

For Albania, however, Rama’s joke served as both a political jab and a moment of levity, highlighting the absurdity of Trump repeatedly confusing his country with Armenia. For Armenia and Azerbaijan, it underscored the need for precision in diplomacy—something Trump has often struggled to deliver.

Trump’s Image Abroad

Trump’s international reputation has long been polarizing. His “America First” stance appeals to nationalist leaders and some voters at home but has alienated many U.S. allies. His tendency to exaggerate achievements and misstate facts has further strained trust.

While Trump continues to position himself as a deal-maker who has changed the course of world diplomacy, incidents like the Armenia-Albania mix-up fuel the perception that his grasp of international affairs is shallow and error-prone.

At the same time, his supporters argue that such gaffes are minor compared to his ability to pressure adversaries into negotiations. They see ridicule from European leaders as part of an elite effort to undermine Trump’s unconventional style.

Running Theme in Trump’s Diplomacy

Ultimately, the Armenia-Albania confusion has now become a running joke among world leaders, symbolizing Trump’s often shaky handling of international relations. It highlights how small errors can overshadow larger policy initiatives, especially when they are repeated over time.

For Trump, the Copenhagen episode is another reminder that diplomacy is not just about striking deals but also about projecting competence and credibility. For European leaders, it was a chance to laugh—but also to quietly question whether U.S. diplomacy under Trump can be taken seriously.

Conclusion

The exchange between Rama, Macron, and Aliyev at the EPC summit may have been lighthearted, but it underscores a deeper issue: Trump’s international gaffes have become part of his political brand. While he continues to champion his peace deals, the Armenia-Albania confusion has highlighted a recurring theme of inaccuracy, exaggeration, and ridicule.

As the world watches Trump push for recognition of his “seven wars ended” narrative, the laughter in Copenhagen may linger as a symbol of how even world leaders can become exasperated—and amused—by his repeated missteps.

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