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Vice President JD Vance embarked on a weeklong international trip Thursday that combines diplomatic responsibilities with support for American athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Italy.
The journey marks one of the few foreign engagements Vance is expected to undertake this year, as the Trump administration shifts focus toward domestic issues ahead of the November midterm elections, according to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Vance’s first stop features the Winter Games, where he will lead the official U.S. delegation at Friday’s opening ceremony alongside his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta. Several Olympic gold medalists will join the delegation, including hockey stars Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando, speedskater Apolo Ohno, and figure skater Evan Lysacek.
Before the ceremony, Vance plans to support Team USA by attending the women’s hockey preliminary match against Czechia on Thursday, continuing the tradition of vice presidential Olympic attendance. His predecessors Joe Biden and Mike Pence attended the Winter Games in Vancouver (2010) and Pyeongchang (2018), respectively, though former Vice President Kamala Harris did not attend the 2022 Beijing Olympics due to the Biden administration’s diplomatic boycott over human rights concerns in China.
Following the Olympic portion of his trip, Vance will pivot to substantive diplomatic work with visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan, where President Trump has tasked him with advancing a U.S.-brokered peace agreement between the two former Soviet republics. The deal aims to end four decades of conflict in the Caucasus region.
The peace agreement represents a significant diplomatic achievement for the Trump administration, enhancing America’s position in a region where Russian influence has been waning. Under the accord, Armenia and Azerbaijan have committed to reopening key transportation routes and strengthening cooperation with the United States in energy, technology, and economic sectors.
A centerpiece of the agreement is the creation of a major transit corridor dubbed the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity,” which will connect Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave – territories currently separated by a 20-mile strip of Armenian land.
This diplomatic assignment mirrors Vance’s October mission to Israel following the negotiation of a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, where he reinforced the administration’s commitment to peace efforts in the Middle East.
Since taking office, Vance has established himself as a key diplomatic representative of the administration, with previous trips to France, Germany, Greenland, India, and the United Kingdom. He has visited Italy twice already, meeting with the late Pope Francis and later with his successor, Pope Leo XIV.
The vice president’s diplomatic portfolio reflects a traditional division of labor in U.S. foreign policy, where vice presidents often handle diplomatic missions to regions or countries that may not be at the top of the president’s priority list.
“For vice presidents, foreign trips are partly a function of what the president likes to do — and not like to do,” explained Marc Short, who served as chief of staff to Mike Pence during Trump’s first term.
These vice presidential missions occasionally involve unexpected diplomatic opportunities, as when Pence had an impromptu meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 2018 East Asia Summit in Singapore.
Short also recalled Pence’s 2019 trip to Poland, where he substituted for Trump while the president monitored Hurricane Dorian. That visit included a significant meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“The reality, obviously, is the president has a lot of other responsibilities,” Short noted. “So it’s often important that the United States be represented by the highest official available. In many cases, that’s just the vice president.”
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16 Comments
It’s good to see the US sending a high-level delegation to the Winter Olympics, led by Vice President Vance. Supporting American athletes is an important show of national pride. His subsequent visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan will be the real diplomatic challenge, given the long history of conflict between those two countries.
Absolutely. Vance’s experience and negotiating skills will be put to the test as he tries to find common ground between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Even small steps towards improved relations would be a notable achievement, given the complexity of the issue.
Glad to see Vice President Vance representing the US at the Winter Olympics. Supporting American athletes is an important diplomatic role. I wonder what his agenda will be in Armenia and Azerbaijan – those two countries have a long-standing conflict that will require sensitive diplomacy.
You’re right, navigating the Armenia-Azerbaijan tensions will be a delicate task. Vance’s experience and diplomatic skills will be crucial in fostering dialogue and finding common ground.
Vice President Vance’s trip seems to strike a nice balance between sports diplomacy and traditional foreign policy engagement. Supporting Team USA at the Olympics is an important show of national pride, while his visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan will require deft diplomatic maneuvering. Navigating the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is no easy task, but Vance’s experience may give him an edge.
You make a good point. Vance’s dual roles as both Olympic delegate and regional mediator will put his diplomatic skills to the test. His ability to balance these priorities and make progress on the Armenia-Azerbaijan issue will be closely watched.
Interesting that Vance is visiting Armenia and Azerbaijan after the Olympics. Those two countries have been at odds for decades, so his diplomatic skills will be put to the test. I hope he can make some progress in reducing tensions and finding areas of cooperation.
Me too. Resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has proven elusive, but Vance’s engagement could help identify new paths forward. His experience and stature as Vice President may give him leverage to push for compromise.
The Winter Olympics are always a great stage for showcasing international cooperation and sportsmanship. It’s fitting that Vice President Vance will be leading the US delegation and supporting our athletes. His subsequent visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan will be a true test of his diplomatic abilities.
Absolutely. Vance’s diplomatic skills will be crucial in navigating the complex Armenia-Azerbaijan situation. Finding ways to reduce tensions and foster regional stability is no easy task, but his experience and stature could make a difference.
The Winter Olympics are always an exciting event, bringing together nations from around the world. It’s good to see the US sending a strong delegation led by Vice President Vance. His visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan will also be important, as those two countries have a complex geopolitical relationship.
Agreed. Vance’s diplomatic acumen will be put to the test as he tries to bridge the divide between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Fostering regional stability is crucial, especially with the ongoing tensions.
Vance’s diplomatic itinerary seems quite ambitious – the Winter Olympics, followed by tricky negotiations in Armenia and Azerbaijan. His ability to balance sports diplomacy and geopolitical tensions will be closely watched. Navigating the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is no easy feat, but his experience could prove invaluable.
Agreed. Vance’s background as a former Senator and his reputation for pragmatism may serve him well in these high-stakes discussions. Even incremental progress in reducing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan would be a significant diplomatic accomplishment.
The Vice President’s trip sounds like a mix of international diplomacy and sports diplomacy. Supporting Team USA at the Olympics is an important role, and his visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan will test his ability to broker dialogue between adversaries. Curious to see what progress he can make on that front.
Me too. Vance has his work cut out for him, but his diplomatic experience may give him an edge in addressing the longstanding Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Even small steps towards improved relations would be a notable achievement.