Kajsa Ollongren (@kajsaollongren.bsky.social), EU Special Representative for Human Rights, closes Day 1. 💬 Democracy cannot be taken for granted. We have to defend it from both internal and external threats. #IDDBrussels

Honoured to serve as EUSR for Human Rights. Outlined some thoughts on my new role while on mission in Geneva. What do you think I should focus on? 💡

#Palestine 🇵🇸: Today, over 270 media take protest over the killing of #journalists in #Gaza. Many of our affiliates have also joined the global call. Speak out! Journalists cannot be silenced. #ProtectJournalistsinGaza #LetReportersIntoGaza www.ifj.org/media-centre...

Mixed feelings after the NATO-summit. Too much Trump handling, too little substance. With the 5% target agreed, we urgently need to start being serious about strengthening Europe in NATO. 5 key-priorities by @armida.bsky.social and me. www.chathamhouse.org/2025/06/five...

Meer investeren in defensie is goed, meer investeren in soft-power maakt het beter ‘Navo-top kan ook tot conflictpreventie besluiten’ www.ad.nl/opinie/opini...

The new edition of our magazine, @theworldtoday.org, is out! Lots of good articles on NATO incl contributions from @kajsaollongren.bsky.social @shashj.bsky.social @nathalietocci.bsky.social @glandsbergis.bsky.social an interview with Defence Commissioner Kubilius & much more.

Former Dutch Minister of Defence @kajsaollongren.bsky.social: “Why wouldn’t we want Ukraine in NATO, when it has Europe’s strongest and most capable armed forces?” 🇳🇱🇺🇦 @lrobinson.bsky.social www.cfr.org/article/us-a...

D66-erelid Jan Terlouw, wetenschapper, schrijver, politicus, is overleden op 93-jarige leeftijd. In alle fasen van zijn leven maatschappelijk betrokken en zijn tijd ver vooruit. Een inspirator voor jong en oud. Dankbaar voor alles wat hij heeft betekend, wens ik zijn naasten veel sterkte.

It’s definitely an improvement, but in this narrative Russia is still treated as one of two sides fighting the war, instead of as the agressor. www.politico.com/news/2025/05...

In Washington DC for Munich leaders meeting. Taking stock on transatlantic relations in turbulent times. Starting of in US Capitol, with much appreciated welcoming reception, just before the storm literally broke lose ☔️ @munsecconf.bsky.social

Impressive line up of signatories to open letter in 🇨🇦 National Post calling for seizing & transferring $300 bn in Russia's frozen assets to Ukraine and preventing a bailout for Putin. Spearheaded by DSI, The Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights. #MakeRussiaPay nationalpost.com/opinion/opin...

Focal point at the 10th Delphi Economic Forum : European strategic autonomy, confronted with Russian aggression and American unpredictability.

Have you read our Spring issue yet? ▶️ @chathamhouse.org experts analyse Trump’s first 50 days ▶️ @kajsaollongren.bsky.social says that Europe’s economies should be on a war footing ▶️ @olgatokariuk.bsky.social unpacks the plight of Ukrainian refugees And more 👇 www.chathamhouse.org/publications...

Drones and missiles keep coming. Confirmed fatalities after a Russian strike on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia. March 21, 2025. #Ukraine

Let this sink in. The russian leadership doesn’t care about the lives of russians soldiers. And even less about the lives of soldiers from ethnic minorities from poor regions. x.com/defencehq/st...

A shift towards a ‘Europe-alone’ approach is taking place. Read @armida.bsky.social and my thoughts on this ⬇️

As the EU publishes a new white paper on reforming defence, there are clear priorities to make Europe a stand-alone military power, write @armida.bsky.social and @kajsaollongren.bsky.social

Reports of drones and missile strikes on Ukraine shortly after White House reports energy and infrastructure ceasefire after Trump’s conversation with Putin.

Another move by the US to appease, rather than to hold Russia accountable for atrocities committed in Ukraine www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/u...

Very timely conference on #AI in defence and security, hosted by @elinavaltonen.bsky.social. Finland today serves as a beacon for Europe as we prepare for the deterrence and defence of tomorrow

US-UKR relationship restored, weapons deliveries & intel resumed. 30-days ceasefire proposal puts pressure where is belongs: on Putin. But many hurdles to take: will Russia accept, if yes how to make sure it doesn’t violate it, what’s the plan on security guarantees, long term, accountability etc

Former Netherlands defence minister @kajsaollongren.bsky.social says that Donald Trump’s actions are raising doubts about the US commitment to NATO. Read her interview for the spring issue of @theworldtoday.bsky.social.

Cause : US stopped weapon deliveries and intel sharing with Ukraine. Effect : Russia increased air assaults, causing more innocent victims & more destruction of infrastructure in Ukraine. abcnews.go.com/Internationa...

Spoke to Teri Schultz @npr.org about what is happening in Europe. An unprecedented boost in defence spending should move Europe into war economy. www.npr.org/2025/03/06/n...

So Trump paused weapon deliveries and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Has he requested the same from Kim Jong Un? Guess not. North Korea munitions, weapons and troops continue to fuel Russia. www.axios.com/2025/03/05/u...

Whatever it takes www.faz.net/aktuell/poli...

Trump forcing Zelenskyys hand instead of Putins: expect more Russian air assaults on Ukraine and further push by Russia on frontline for more territorial gains. Urgency for Europeans increases further. www.cnn.com/2025/03/03/p...

Europe is at a critical juncture. With the GLOBSEC Ukraine support club we suggest concrete courses of action in this joint statement ⬇️ www.globsec.org/what-we-do/p...

PM Starmer got it right tonight. His message was strong, concrete and active. And for those who criticize leaders for reaching out to the US, let transatlantic relations not fail for the lack of us trying.

All major NATO allies gather in Londen today, except USA. Stakes are high. Show the world we can and will act: secure Ukraine and defend Europe incl a strong European pillar in NATO, arm Ukraine to win, invest massively in European defence tech and industry and seize the Russian assets. #Ukraine

Comments on BBC News yesterday.

Moral support isn’t enough. Arm Ukraine. Let what happened today not become Putins win tomorrow. #Ukraine

Five former US defense secretaries, including Chuck Hagel and Jim Mattis, assail Trump's military firings as reckless and ask members of Congress ‘to do their jobs’ www.reuters.com/world/us/fiv...

No need to translate. 📍Warsaw airport.

It is very special to me to be in Kyiv today. The third anniversary of the barbaric invasion by Russia of Ukraine marks that Putin failed miserably in achieving his goals. Thanks to the heroism of the Ukrainians. Today, 🇪🇺 resolve, unity and commitment to 🇺🇦 is more needed than ever.

Couldn’t agree more ➡️ Sanna Marin in The Economist www.economist.com/by-invitatio...

Talking isn’t doing. Thread by @bctallis.bsky.social ⬇️ #JustDoIt

Ukraine was not informed about the negotiations in Saudi Arabia, will not participate in them, and will not recognize any agreements reached, — Zelensky

In case anybody is wondering if this could be about money?

All Europeans must share an unprecedented sense of urgency and resolve after this week. At #MSC25 the messages from overseas have shaken European leaders up. We’ve heard Americans say: this is the Trump world. 1/5

On my way to Munich for the #MSC2025. Since the US seems inclined to make concessions to Russia, Europe more that ever must stand firm. Boost European defence spending, our defence industry and support to Ukraine. 🇺🇦 needs to know that we’re steadfast in our commitment. @munsecconf.bsky.social

In Washington DC for the @globsec.bsky.social Transatlantic Forum, live-streamed on February 6th, to discuss points of convergence and contention in the transatlantic relationship.

We're thrilled to share that two further experts have joined the Europe Programme as Associate Fellows: please welcome @kajsaollongren.bsky.social and @nvondarza.bsky.social! Kajsa will contribute to the Programme's work on European defence, and Nicolai will help us unpack Germany's role in Europe.

In hartje Amsterdam een rally voor Europa, aan vooravond inauguratie Trump. Rob Jetten met vurig pleidooi voor meer steun Oekraïne, naar 3% voor Defensie en meer Europese samenwerking #Europefirst @d66nl.bsky.social

Delighted to be joining the BIG Advisory Council ⬇️ and to contribute to European thinking on geopolitics

Honoured to have such praise for my new book “Benjamin Tallis is the kind of analyst Europe needs.” @ilvestoomas.bsky.social Fmr 🇪🇪 President “Benjamin Tallis provides the kind of spark that leads to impact.” @kajsaollongren.bsky.social Fmr 🇳🇱Defence Miniater www.amazon.de/gp/aw/d/B0DR...

NATO SG calls for a wartime mindset and to turbo-charge our defence production and spending. Agreed. It’s an echo of many panels I’ve been on lately, like here at the @chathamhouse.bsky.social Berlin conference.

What else did the bells of the Notre Dame ring out? Interesting power politics in Paris last night. Trump and Zelensky discussed ending the war, but - so Zelensky rightly stressed - only with security guarantees could there be lasting peace and security.

Thanks to the Aspen Institute for the #ASF DC Edition. An excellent platform to exchange views on transatlantic issues, on the defence industrial base in US and EU and on connecting the dots between the war in Ukraine and other major security threats.

EU in Kyiv. New Council President, Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Enlargement EC-reps. Excellent signaling #standwithukraine