Jüri Luik

Jüri Luik (born August 17, 1966) is an Estonian diplomat and politician. He has held several prominent positions within the Estonian government and has been a key figure in shaping Estonia's foreign policy, particularly regarding NATO and the European Union.

Luik served as Estonia's Minister of Defence multiple times, including periods from 1993-1994, 1999-2002, and 2017-2021. As Minister of Defence, he played a crucial role in Estonia's accession to NATO and in modernizing the Estonian Defence Forces. He also emphasized cybersecurity and international cooperation in defence matters.

Prior to his ministerial roles, Luik served as Estonia's Ambassador to NATO from 1991 to 1993 and again from 2003 to 2007. He was also Estonia's Ambassador to the United States from 2007 to 2012 and to Russia from 2015 to 2017. His diplomatic career has focused on strengthening Estonia's relationships with key international partners.

Luik has been actively involved in think tanks and research institutions focusing on security and international relations. He has published extensively on Estonian foreign policy, security issues, and transatlantic relations. His contributions have been significant in advocating for Estonia's strategic interests within the international community.