Commerce Secretary nominee Wilbur Ross was a top shareholder in a Cypriot bank with deep Russian ties when he met with the principal Russian investor.

That meeting lasted only an hour, according to a cursory account Ross provided to the Senate. What he discussed during the encounter and the identity of the investor are among a number of unanswered questions about Ross’ potential connections to influential Russian figures as he awaits a vote on his confirmation Monday.

Ross, 79, is not accused of any wrongdoing. But his potential confirmation draws further attention to the large number of President Donald Trump’s appointees and confidants with Russian connections. The pattern is all the more noteworthy after the resignation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn this month for lying about his discussion of Russian sanctions with that country’s U.S. ambassador, and after reports that American intelligence organizations and Congress are investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Ross is expected to sail through his confirmation vote with bipartisan support, in spite of a Feb. 16 letter from six Democratic senators asking him to provide more information about his Russian ties and a follow-up letter from New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, sent last Friday.

A Putin connection?

The first letter asked Ross to elaborate on his relationship with the bank’s Russian shareholders — some of whom reportedly have strong ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin — and his knowledge of any contacts between “Russian interests” and Trump’s campaign or The Trump Organization. As of last Friday afternoon, Ross had yet to respond, according to a Senate aide.