From July 1998 through January 2000, Ambassador Pascual served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia at the National Security Council. He guided U.S. policy to encourage Ukraine's commitment to democratic and market reforms and its integration with Europe. Ambassador Pascual advised the President and the National Security Advisor on advancing U.S. security interests with Russia, reducing the risk of proliferation, and managing U.S. political and economic relations with Russia. He also promoted U.S. policy to advance stability and security in the Caucasus and Central Asia while sustaining strong U.S. advocacy for improved democratic practices.

Ambassador Pascual joined the NSC in June 1995 as Director for Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian Affairs. He coordinated economic policy affecting the countries of the former Soviet Union and managed the country portfolios of Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. He also helped formulate U.S. policy toward Caspian energy development. From 1994-1995 Ambassador Pascual served as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Europe and the New Independent States at the Agency for International Development.

He oversaw budget, policy and strategy formulation for USAID's annual programs of $1.2 billion in the region. From 1992-1994 Ambassador Pascual was Director of the Office of Program Analysis and Coordination for the New Independent States Task Force where he helped develop the U.S. Government's first assistance programs for the NIS.

Ambassador Pascual joined USAID in 1983 as a Project Development Officer in Sudan where he designed USAID's assistance programs to promote economic development and reduce food aid dependency. He also worked for USAID in South Africa, Mozambique, and at USAID headquarters in Washington.

Ambassador Pascual is a 1980 graduate of Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. He received a Master of Arts in Public Policy in 1982 from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.