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EU Foreign Minister Appoints New Defense Leaders, Deepens NATO Ties

6/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas appointed Kajsa Ollongren secretary-general of the External Action Service and David Cvach head of defence and security, effective 1 September.
The appointments aim to deepen EU-NATO cooperation, improve coordination with NATO—whose secretary-general Mark Rutte was prime minister while Ollongren was defence minister—and reinforce defence after Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The moves occur as the EU debates a diplomatic overhaul after criticism of its Gaza response.

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Story summary

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas appointed Kajsa Ollongren secretary-general of the External Action Service and David Cvach head of defence and security, effective 1 September.
The appointments aim to deepen EU-NATO cooperation, improve coordination with NATO—whose secretary-general Mark Rutte was prime minister while Ollongren was defence minister—and reinforce defence after Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The moves occur as the EU debates a diplomatic overhaul after criticism of its Gaza response.