Margus Tsahkna, chairman of Estonia’s Eesti 200 party, has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs since April 17, 2023. He served as a member of the Riigikogu, Estonia’s Parliament, from 2017 to 2019 and from 2007 to 2015. He has held numerous leadership positions, including defense minister, social protection minister, and Secretary General of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union. From 2004 to 2007, he was a member of the Tartu City Council. He studied at the School of Theology and Religious Studies of the University of Tartu in 1996–2002 and at the University of Toronto in 1999–2000, specializing in international law.
NPC Headliners: Baltic Delegation
Feb 6 2025
WHEN:
Feb 6, 2025 at 4:00pm
WHERE:
Zenger Room
CONTACT INFO:
Cecily Scott Martin
MORE INFO:
Headliner
This event is open only to NPC members & credentialed press
Foreign ministers from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia will speak at a National Press Club Newsmaker on the latest news and events happening in the Baltic region including its recent actions to disconnect from the Russian electricity grid, a major move in achieving energy independence.
The foreign ministers will discuss the role of Baltic and US leadership in supporting Ukraine, containing Russia and strengthening NATO defense and deterrence. Opening remarks will be followed by a moderated question-and-answer period.
Speakers will include:
Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Estonia
Baiba Braže, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Latvia
Kęstutis Budrys, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lithuania
This Headliners event is open to credentialed media and Club members. Registration is essential. To submit questions in advance for the speakers, put BALTIC in the subject line and email it to [email protected]. The deadline for submitting questions in advance is 2:00 p.m. on the day of the event.
Baiba Braže currently serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia.
From 2020 to 2023, B. Braže held the post of Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Public Diplomacy. Within her remit, she devised and oversaw strategic communications activities across all NATO civilian and military bodies and commands.
From 2016 to 2020, she was posted as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. From 2003 to 2008, B. Braže served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands while also representing Latvia in the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Kęstutis Budrys currently serves as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. He previously served as the Chief National Security Adviser to the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Head of the National Security Group. Budrys was also the Secretary of the State Defense Council and Chairman of the Intelligence Coordination Group. He took up his duties at the beginning of 2022.
Budrys has more than 20 years of experience in national security. He served for six years as Deputy Director of the State Security Department, the civilian intelligence and security service. He was responsible for technological intelligence disciplines, intelligence analysis, and threat prevention. From 2009 to 2015, Mr Budrys was Advisor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania on intelligence and defense policy. Until 2009, he held leading positions in the field of intelligence analysis.