Vance to Lead U.S. Delegation to 2026 Winter Olympics, Visit Armenia and Azerbaijan
Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to lead President Donald Trump's delegation to the 2026 Winter Olympics and subsequently visit Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to the Associated Press. The week-long trip, announced on February 5, 2026, will combine diplomatic efforts with the sporting event.
The visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan is intended as a show of support for a peace agreement brokered by the White House last year, according to ABC News. This trip may be one of the few international trips Vance undertakes this year, as President Trump and his cabinet are reportedly focusing on domestic issues and travel in the lead-up to the November midterm elections.
In other news, President Trump recently engaged in a lengthy phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which the two leaders discussed a range of issues, including Taiwan, Iran, and the war in Ukraine, according to The New York Times. Trump described the call as "excellent and long and thorough" in a post on his Truth Social account. Sources familiar with the call indicated it lasted almost two hours.
During the call, Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of the Taiwan issue in China-US relations, urging Trump to be "prudent" regarding arms supplies to the island, according to BBC News. Xi reportedly told Trump that he attached "great importance" to ties with Washington and hoped both sides could find ways to resolve their differences. The call followed a series of visits by Western leaders to China in recent months, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Trump's negotiating style, characterized by unpredictability, has also come under scrutiny. According to The New York Times, while Trump considers himself a "master deal maker" who keeps the other side off balance, his approach is beginning to wear on both allies and adversaries. Some are reportedly considering waiting him out or turning away from him due to his perceived mercurial and unreliable behavior.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, NBC news anchor Savannah Guthrie has made an emotional plea for the return of her abducted mother, Nancy Guthrie, who went missing from her home in Arizona over the weekend, according to BBC News. Authorities suspect kidnapping and are working with the FBI. Guthrie posted a video message on Instagram, flanked by her siblings, stating, "We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us."
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