Donald Trump has nominated Estonian-born lawyer Roman Pipko as his candidate for the role of U.S. Ambassador to Estonia.
The position requires Senate confirmation, and Republican control of the upper chamber should make such approval relatively easy to obtain, reports POLITICO. However, the nomination could attract more attention than usual, as Estonia, which borders Russia, is one of the European countries most vocal about the need to protect Ukraine from Russian aggression, POLITICO also noted.
Former construction manager: Pipko seemed to understand Estonian
As far back as 1991, Pipko was involved in the negotiations for the renovation of the Kunda cement plant as a legal advisor to U.S. investors, Aadu Kana, then Estonian Deputy Minister of Construction and chair of the Kunda plant’s board of directors, who led the Estonian delegation at that time.
Kana said that Pipko, as a member of Ronald S. Lauder’s delegation, also seemed to understand Estonian.
“Roman Pipko, who was there as a lawyer – he was born in Estonia and at the start, [we] weren’t aware that he could speak both Russian and Estonian, but what we talked about among our small group was clear to him – he was listening,” Kana told ERR. “As a lawyer, he was very respectable, very competent and skillful. He knew what he was talking about,” Kana added.
More read: ERR.EE