U.S. State Department

Kajsa Ollongren, the European Union’s special representative for human rights, has her work cut out for her as the bloc’s top representative for promoting human rights and democracy.

In the United States, senior White House figures such as Vice President J.D. Vance have taken the unusual step of accusing European nations of backsliding on democracy and free speech as well as strongly criticizing immigration into the continent. It’s no idle talk, either—the State Department reportedly discussed funding right-wing think tanks in Europe and pressed European officials in lower-level meetings on the subject of free speech.

Kajsa Ollongren, the European Union’s special representative for human rights, has her work cut out for her as the bloc’s top representative for promoting human rights and democracy.

In the United States, senior White House figures such as Vice President J.D. Vance have taken the unusual step of accusing European nations of backsliding on democracy and free speech as well as strongly criticizing immigration into the continent. It’s no idle talk, either—the State Department reportedly discussed funding right-wing think tanks in Europe and pressed European officials in lower-level meetings on the subject of free speech.

Meanwhile, in Europe, intergovernmental organizations and human rights groups have documented substantial evidence that Russia has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine, including the abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children. In the Middle East, a new war against Iran has broken out even as the embers of the war in Gaza still burn.

Ollongren is no stranger to a tough geopolitical situation—as a former defense minister for the Netherlands, she helped spearhead support to Ukraine in its current war against Russia.

In an interview on March 5, Ollongren defended the European Union’s record on democracy—but also outlined where the EU and United States could partner, as well as detailed her concerns on Ukraine, Iran, and Gaza.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Foreign Policy: You had a meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Riley Barnes, whose office has criticized the EU, during this current visit to the United States. What can you tell me about that meeting?

Kajsa Ollongren: I met him already—he came to Brussels [in] early January, after he was confirmed and after the shutdown was solved. I thought that was a really good gesture to come to Brussels and to talk to me and others.

I think Barnes is a really good interlocutor; he takes human rights seriously. So we have been able to engage on topics where we agree. For instance, when we talk about Ukraine, we talk a lot........

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