Ross Allen

@allenross.bsky.social

UK Ambassador to Estonia since 2021.

I decided to try to join a choir and sing in the Estonian Song Festival five years ago - mission accomplished! Lots more singing in today’s concert. I am one of 31,000 singers and musicians, video by my wife. A bit of rain cannot stop Estonians or Brits! Elagu Eesti! 🇬🇧🇪🇪

A day of football! First, the ten year anniversary of the Spin program, modelled on Kicks in the UK. We support Spin in Estonia through the British Council and today had a team of Mercians playing Spin alumni. End result - Mercians 5, Spin alumni 2! And then on to….

Proudly waving the 🇬🇧 at the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Tallinn. Our juniors came 12th, their best result ever, and our seniors have been great so far this morning! 🇬🇧🇪🇪

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Lots of positives from an 🇪🇪 point of view too: - strengthened nuclear deterrence - new air, naval and cyber capabilities - Army 10x more lethal - new long range weapons All alongside Estonia’s own impressive defence investments. #Allies #Liitlased 🇬🇧🇪🇪

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Thank you to the Estonian Foreign Affairs Ministry for a great Ambassadors tour of Noarootsi on the northwest coast! We have learnt about the region’s Swedish past, fishing, sea rescue, schools, businesses and more. And made bread, swam, ran and beach yoga! Great to visit a new part of 🇪🇪. 🇬🇧🇪🇪

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Thank you President Karis for attending the launch event for the English-language translation of President Lennart Meri’s “Silverwhite” (Hõbevalge), an epic work of history and identity. Brilliantly translated by Adam Cullen, published by Hurst Publishers and available now! 🇬🇧🇪🇪

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Fantastic morning talking to students taking part in the Democracy Academy (motto: “we don’t want to be bystanders”), run by the President Kaljulaid Foundation. Great questions on the recent UK/EU deal, the Middle East and what diplomats do. 🇬🇧🇪🇪

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Hosted a packed screening of “Ocean with David Attenborough” - Sir David’s film offers a powerful mix of alarm and hope. 🇬🇧 and 🇪🇪 are both members of the Global Ocean Alliance and committed to the goal of protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. It’s vital we do so. 🇬🇧🇪🇪

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Thank you ArmyAirCorps - here in 🇪🇪 and flying President Karis to south Estonia as part of Exercise Hedgehog. Later today he will meet the Black Rats (4th Light Brigade Combat Team), here in strength for the first time. #Allies #Liitlased 🇬🇧🇪🇪

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Delighted to say that all the practices have paid off and Kalamaja Segakoor WILL be on stage at the Song Festival in early July! This has been my dream since 2020, and along the way have got to know a wonderful (and big!) group of people. Cannot wait! 🇬🇧🇪🇪

Learnt so much visiting Ragn-Sells recyling plant: - Thats’s over €1k-worth of aluminium cans - It’s the most efficient recycling plant in the Baltics - OK to keep putting clean pizza boxes in the cardboard recylcing bin! Keep up the good work! 🇬🇧🇪🇪🌍

Ready for my favourite race - the oldest running race in the Baltics! It’s roughly 12k around Viljandi lake - roughly because you can take whatever route you like. Will be tough this year after two weeks eating a lot in Texas and Louisiana! Good luck to all runners! 🇬🇧🇪🇪🏃🏻

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On my way to 🇳🇱 King’s Day reception. It is the Year of the Book in 🇪🇪 because it is the 500th anniversary of the first known mention of a book in Estonian. So our Dutch friends have asked us all to bring a book to swap. Only one possible author for me! #JaneAusten250 🇬🇧🇪🇪

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Interested in AI? We are hosting an open panel event with partners from all of 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇪🇪🇳🇱🇳🇴🇸🇪🇫🇮🇱🇻🇱🇹 this afternoon from 1600-1800 at Taltech’s @MEKTORY building. There will be some serious expertise in the room (and me asking questions!). No need to register, just come along!

A @DefenceHQ spokesman has said: “There are no plans to change our deployment to the eastern flank of NATO. The UK’s commitment to NATO is unshakeable. British troops have been deployed, working hand in hand with our Estonian allies for nearly nine years together…

At an auction for 🇺🇦 organised by the Computer Sciences Faculty at Tartu University with the Ukrainian Ambassador. The UK provided cakes with 🇬🇧🇪🇪🇺🇦 flags and an auction prize. The event raised €28k which will all go towards Ukraine’s defence. Part of a good day’s work! 🇬🇧🇪🇪🇺🇦

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So energising starting the week with a school visit, with loads of excellent questions. Today we covered everything from NATO Article 5, nuclear deterrence, and Brexit to ice skating, singing, and Eberechi Eze! Thanks for having me. 🇬🇧🇪🇪

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A fun (but tough!) afternoon as one of the judges in 🇪🇪’s English-language National Public Speaking Competition. Some brilliant speeches and nerves of steel - well done to all of the participants and finalists! 🇬🇧🇪🇪

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