Facing Down the Russian Threat: A View from Estonia
A diplomatic discussion with Kristjan Prikk, Estonia's Ambassador to the US.
Wednesday, May 20, 20261:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Royce Hall Rm 314
The UCLA Center for European and Russian Studies, in cosponsorship with the Burkle Center for International Relations and UCLA International and Comparative Law Program, invite you to a talk by Kristjan Prikk, Estonia's Ambassador to the United States. This talk, entitled "Pathways to WWIII", will be moderated by Daniel Treisman and feature a discussion of the Russian threat, the Ukraine war, and the future of NATO from an Estonian perspective. This event will take place in Royce Hall Room 314 on Wednesday, May 20 at 1:15PM PST. Registration is required.
About the Speaker
Kristjan Prikk has served as Estonia´s Ambassador to the United States since May 2021. This is his third diplomatic posting to Washington, DC. Before assuming his current duties, Prikk served for nearly three years as the Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defense. In this role he was responsible for the management of the Ministry and for the coordination of activities of the agencies under the Ministry, including the Estonian Defense Forces, the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service, and the Centre for Defense Investments.
Prior to becoming the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Prikk worked as Undersecretary for Defense Policy in the Ministry of Defense from July 2017 to August 2018. From 2015 to 2017 Mr. Prikk was the Director of National Security and the Defense Coordination Unit of the Estonian Government Office, coordinating the development and implementation of the whole-of-government interagency approach to national defense in Estonia and advising the Prime Minister on these issues. He also served as Deputy Director of the same office for two years prior to becoming the Director in 2015. His previous Ministry of Defense assignments include serving as Defense Counsellor at the Estonian Embassy in Washington, D.C. (2010-2013) and as Director of International Cooperation Department in Tallinn (2007-2010). Prior to joining the Ministry of Defense, Mr. Prikk worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on NATO issues mainly pertaining to its enlargement and its partnership with Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia in the Security Policy and Arms Control Bureau (2006-2007). Additionally, he has held assignments as a diplomat covering trade and economic issues at the Estonian Embassy in Washington (2002-2006) and as a foreign trade and World Trade Organization specialist at the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters in Tallinn (1999-2002). Mr. Prikk holds a Master’s degree from the Strategic Studies Program of the United States Army War College (2013) and a Bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from the University of Tartu, Estonia (2000).
About the Discussant
Daniel Treisman is a professor of political science at the University of California, Los Angeles and a research associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research. He is currently also the Co-Director of UCLA’s Center for European and Russian Studies. A graduate of Oxford University (B.A. Hons.) and Harvard University (Ph.D.), he has published six books and many articles in leading political science and economics journals including The American Political Science Review and The American Economic Review, as well as in public affairs journals such as Foreign Affairs and Foreign Policy. His research focuses on Russian politics and economics as well as comparative political economy, including in particular the analysis of democratization, the politics of authoritarian states, political decentralization, and corruption.
Venue
Royce Hall Room 314
10745 Dickson Ct
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Nearby parking is available at Parking Structure 5 and Parking Structure 3.
Sponsor(s): Center for European and Russian Studies, Burkle Center for International Relations, UCLA International and Comparative Law Program