US Ambassador to Estonia quits diplomatic post amid row with President

America’s ambassador to Estonia has resigned amid a string of recent controversial comments President Donald Trump has launched against long-standing European allies.

Ambassador James Melville announced his resignation on Friday via a private Facebook message sent to family and friends, complaining of the president’s behavior and hostile attitude towards America’s friends in Europe.

‘A Foreign Service Officer’s DNA is programmed to support policy and we’re schooled right from the start, that if there ever comes a point where one can no longer do so, particularly if one is in a position of leadership, the honorable course is to resign,’ Melville wrote in the post, which was obtained by Foreign Policy Magazine.

Ambassador James Melville (Left) announced his resignation earlier this week via a private Facebook message sent to family

‘Having served under six presidents and 11 secretaries of state, I never really thought it would reach that point for me,’ he added.

Melville served in the US State Department for more than 33 years and was appointed Ambassador to Estonia in 2015.

He was set to retire in the coming months, but Trump’s comments and behavior towards the EU helped accelerate Melville’s decision, according to Foreign Policy.

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a document signing ceremony on Saturday 

‘For the President to say the EU was “set up to take advantage of the United States, to attack our piggy bank,” or that “NATO is as bad as NAFTA” is not only factually wrong but proves to me that it’s time to go,’ Melville wrote, quoting remarks from a speech the President delivered during a rally in North Dakota on Wednesday.

Melville’s resignation came a day after The Washington Post reported that Trump urged French President Emmanuel Macron to leave the European Union, offering him a favorable bilateral trade agreement and economic incentives.

‘Why don’t you leave the EU?’ Trump reportedly asked Macron earlier this year during a private conversation.

According to Foreign Policy Magazine, State Department colleagues were shocked to hear of the long-time diplomat’s sudden departure, describing the move as a blow to Trump’s influence in the diplomatic community.

‘It means a lot when someone who’s had it all in their career just says, “I can’t do this any longer,’ an unnamed official told Foreign Policy. ‘I just wonder who’s next.’

The resignation also comes as America’s most trusted allies are set to meet for a pivotal NATO summit in less than two weeks in Brussels.

The Trump administration has repeatedly questioned alliance’s purpose over the last two years, complaining that nations like Germany and the UK don’t pay their fair share in funding the trans-Atlantic partnership.

‘I leave willingly and with deep gratitude for being able to serve my nation with integrity for many years, and with great confidence that America, which is and has always been, great, will someday return to being right,’ Melville added in the social media message.

Estonia’s Prime Minister Juri Ratas arrives to take part in an European Union leaders’ summit on June 28, 2018

 

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