Author | Lightnews

Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Sep 25

Today is Ales Bialiatski’s 63rd birthday. The Belarusian human rights defender and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate is serving 10 years for standing up for freedom. We call for his release and that of all political prisoners in Belarus. #FreeAles #FreeViasna #FreeThemAll

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Reposted by Kajsa Ollongren

European Democracy Hub @europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu · Sep 18

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

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Sep 11

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? 💡

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IFJ- International Federation of Journalists @ifjglobal.bsky.social · Sep 1

#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...

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Jun 27

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...

Five key priorities for NATO after the summit in The Hague – and how to make progress

After an unambitious summit, NATO allies must return with laser focus to the key issues that were left off the agenda.

www.chathamhouse.org

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Jun 18

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...

Opinie: ‘Navo-top kan ook tot conflictpreventie besluiten’

Investeren in conflictpreventie biedt de wereld meer stabiliteit dan in oorlogssituaties naar de wapens te grijpen. Naast de 5-procentnorm voor defensie zou er ook een 1-procentnorm voor preventie mog...

www.ad.nl

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Armida van Rij @armida.bsky.social · Jun 10

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.

The World Today @theworldtoday.org · Jun 9

📚Our summer issue is here!

Read stories on:
🌍 How Europe can save NATO
💻 What if AI goes nuclear?
💰 Can global trade survive Trump?
⛑️ How foreign aid can be reinvented

www.chathamhouse.org/publications...

Summer 2025: NATO is under threat – can it be saved?

How to secure the alliance against US doubts and Russia’s aggression

www.chathamhouse.org

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Jacob Ware @jacobware.bsky.social · May 21

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...

U.S. Allies Rally to Support Democracy and Come to Terms With a New U.S. Foreign Policy

Two things emerged clearly from this week’s Copenhagen Democracy Summit, the eighth annual gathering convened by Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

www.cfr.org

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · May 16

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.

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · May 7

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...

Vance says Russia ‘asking for too much’ to end war with Ukraine

The vice president told the Munich Leaders Meeting that the U.S. wants to see Ukraine and Russia speak directly.

www.politico.com

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · May 6

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

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Apr 23

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...

nationalpost.com

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Apr 12

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

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The World Today @theworldtoday.org · Apr 2

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...

Spring 2025: The Middle East’s Great Realignment

How Saudi Arabia and the US can end Iran’s threat for a generation

www.chathamhouse.org

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Mar 21

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

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Mar 20

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...

Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 on X: "Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 20 March 2025. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/GqHiJICQz6 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 https://t.co/6g1UNLhmVi" / X

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 20 March 2025. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/GqHiJICQz6 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 https://t.co/6g1UNLhmVi

x.com

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Mar 19

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

Chatham House @chathamhouse.org · Mar 19

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.

The EU must enable its defence industry to boost capabilities and reduce dependence on US systems

As the EU publishes a new white paper on reforming defence, there are clear priorities to make Europe a stand-alone military power.

www.chathamhouse.org

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Chatham House Europe Programme @cheurope.bsky.social · Mar 19

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

The EU must enable its defence industry to boost capabilities and reduce dependence on US systems

As the EU publishes a new white paper on reforming defence, there are clear priorities to make Europe a stand-alone military power.

www.chathamhouse.org

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Mar 18

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

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Mar 17

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...

U.S. to Withdraw From Group Investigating Responsibility for Ukraine Invasion

The decision is the latest indication of the Trump administration’s move away from holding President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia accountable for crimes committed against Ukrainians.

www.nytimes.com

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Mar 14

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

AI and international security Helsinki Round Table

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Mar 11

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

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Chatham House Europe Programme @cheurope.bsky.social · Mar 11

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.

Kajsa Ollongren: ‘Europe’s mindset should now be “war economy” ’

The former Netherlands defence minister says that Donald Trump’s actions are raising doubts about the US commitment to NATO – in response, Europe must turn its plans to release an extra €800 billion f...

www.chathamhouse.org

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Mar 8

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...

Deadly Russian attack overnight on Ukraine kills at least 20 and injure 55 more

At least 20 people have died, and 55 others injured as the casualties continue to rise this morning following Friday night’s blitz by Russia near Donetsk in Ukraine.

abcnews.go.com

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Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Mar 6

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...

European Union leaders hold emergency summit on Ukraine support

European Union leaders are expected to discuss rapidly increasing defense budgets. There's new urgency after President Trump paused military supplies and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

www.npr.org

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