ISTANBUL
US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday announced his pick for the country’s ambassador to the Baltic state of Estonia.
“I am pleased to announce the nomination of Roman Pipko to serve as the next United States Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia,” Trump said on his Truth Social account
Pipko, a legal US immigrant who was born and raised in Estonia, has represented the US in various capacities, including at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Russian American Enterprise Fund, said Trump.
“As a legal immigrant, he has lived the promise of America, and I trust that he will advance American interests in his new role,” Trump added.
Notably, concerning Russia, Estonia is one of the small states bordering its giant neighbor, with heightened security concerns since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022.
Estonia has been a member of the NATO military alliance for nearly 20 years, meaning any attack on it would be an attack on the entire alliance.
Trump has been notably pro-Russia in his policies, according to many analysts, including calling its launching the Ukraine war “genius.” He has also said he could quickly end the war.
In the US, ambassadorial appointments require approval from the Senate.
Trump is due to take office on Jan. 20.