March 22, 2022
C.S. Eliot Kang, the United States’ Acting Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, visited Tallinn on March 21 and 22 to build on the close bilateral ties between the United States and Estonia and to consult with Estonian government officials on regional security issues, including Russia’s unjustified war on Ukraine.
In meetings with senior Estonian officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Environment, Acting Assistant Secretary Kang highlighted U.S. support for regional energy independence and explored the possibility of joint efforts to protect critical technologies from exploitation by malign actors.
“The United States and Estonia have an exceptionally strong partnership. From our joint efforts to support regional security to addressing the need for regional energy independence, the United States stands steadfastly with Estonia,” Acting Assistant Secretary Kang said.
During his visit, the Acting Assistant Secretary also reiterated the United States’ commitment to the people of Ukraine, to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to efforts to hold the Russian Government and its enablers accountable for their unjustified war in Ukraine.
“The United States will continue to back the people of Ukraine in their fight for their country through security, economic, and humanitarian assistance and by uniting the international community to hold Putin accountable through devastating sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and other measures. There will be no relief until Putin reverses course,” Acting Assistant Secretary Kang said.
C.S. Eliot Kang, Ph.D., leads the United States’ efforts to support international security and nonproliferation and has served as Acting Assistant Secretary of State since January 20, 2021. A career member of the Senior Executive Service, Dr. Kang has previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Affairs and Special Adviser for North Korean Denuclearization, amongst other positions. Prior to joining the U.S. Department of State, Dr. Kang taught international security at the University of Pennsylvania and Northern Illinois University and held fellowships at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Brookings Institution.
