Vice President Vance Concludes Multi-Leg International Trip Focused on Diplomacy and Winter Olympics
Vice President JD Vance concluded a multi-leg international trip that included leading the U.S. delegation to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina before traveling to Armenia and Azerbaijan for diplomatic engagements. The primary focus of the visits was to advance a U.S.-brokered peace agreement between the two nations and foster bilateral cooperation, including an agreement on civil nuclear energy with Armenia.
Milan Engagement: Winter Olympics
Vice President Vance arrived in Milan with his family on Thursday, marking the start of his trip. He led President Donald Trump’s delegation to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. During his time in Italy, Vance met with U.S. athletes participating in the Winter Games and observed the U.S. women’s hockey team's preliminary game against Czechia.
The U.S. delegation for the opening ceremony on Friday included Second Lady Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta. Former Olympic gold medalists such as hockey players Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando, speedskater Apolo Ohno, and figure skater Evan Lysacek were also part of the delegation. Vance's participation in the Winter Olympics is consistent with past vice presidential attendance at such events, including Joe Biden in 2010 and Mike Pence in 2018.
Diplomatic Efforts in Armenia
Following the Milan leg, Vice President Vance traveled to Yerevan, Armenia, arriving on Monday.
This marked the first visit by a sitting U.S. Vice President or President to the country.
The visit aimed to advance a U.S.-brokered deal to resolve a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and to explore economic cooperation.
During his visit, Vice President Vance and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan completed negotiations on a "123 Agreement" for civil nuclear cooperation. This agreement enables the United States to license nuclear technology and equipment to Armenia, specifically concerning small modular reactors. Initial U.S. exports to Armenia under this agreement could amount to $5 billion, with an additional $4 billion anticipated for longer-term fuel and maintenance contracts. Armenia is reportedly seeking alternatives for its aging Russian-built Metsamor nuclear power plant, and this agreement offers the option to select U.S. nuclear reactors from a list that also includes companies from Russia, China, France, and South Korea.
Vance also indicated that the U.S. is prepared to export advanced computer chips and surveillance drones to Armenia and invest in the nation's infrastructure.
Prime Minister Pashinyan characterized Vance’s visit as being "of truly historic and symbolic importance," reflecting what he described as a "strong and strategic partnership forged between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America."
He also confirmed his acceptance of an invitation to participate in the first meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace, scheduled for February 19 in Washington, a group established by Trump to oversee the ceasefire plan in Gaza.
Advancing Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Agreement
A key objective of Vice President Vance's visit to Armenia was to finalize a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This effort follows an initial agreement signed by Prime Minister Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the White House in August 2025. In that agreement, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to signing a peace treaty, with the text having been initialed by foreign ministers. The treaty currently awaits final signing by the leaders and ratification by their respective parliaments. Prime Minister Pashinyan stated that both nations are "very close" to achieving peace.
Vance advocated for the establishment of the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP), a proposed rail and road transit corridor through Armenia. This corridor is intended to connect Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave, which is separated by an approximately 32-kilometer-wide (20-mile-wide) section of Armenian territory. This transit route has been a significant point of discussion in the resolution of the conflict.
Background on Karabakh Conflict
The proposed land bridge is a key element in resolving the nearly four-decade-long conflict over the Karabakh region, historically known as Nagorno-Karabakh. Ethnic Armenian forces controlled the area from 1994 until 2020, when Azerbaijan regained control of certain parts of the region and surrounding areas after a six-week conflict. In September 2023, Azerbaijan launched an offensive that led to the capitulation of separatist authorities and Azerbaijan's full control of Karabakh. Subsequently, most of its 120,000 Armenian residents relocated to Armenia. Both sides had previously agreed to renounce claims on each other's territory and refrain from using force during a meeting with former President Trump.
Regional Geopolitical Context and Azerbaijan Visit
These diplomatic efforts occur as former Soviet states like Armenia and Azerbaijan increasingly distance themselves from Russia's sphere of influence following the war in Ukraine. This shift has created opportunities for the U.S. to expand its diplomatic and economic presence in the strategically important Southern Caucasus region, which borders Iran and Turkey. Armenia has notably frozen its security pact with Russia and is reportedly pursuing deeper ties with the U.S. and the European Union.
Vice President Vance was scheduled to travel to Azerbaijan on Tuesday for further discussions, continuing the diplomatic push for a comprehensive peace agreement in the region.
Broader Context of Vice Presidential Travel
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles indicated that this week-long trip may be one of a limited number of international trips for Vice President Vance this year, as the administration plans to focus more on domestic issues and travel in the lead-up to the November midterm elections. Vance undertook a similar peace-building assignment in October, traveling to Israel weeks after a ceasefire in the conflict with Hamas in Gaza to reiterate the Trump administration’s commitment. Last year, Vance also visited France, Germany, Greenland, India, and the U.K., and made two trips to Italy, where he met Pope Francis and later his successor, Pope Leo XIV.