On Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Karen Donfried, the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, would be stepping down.
Donfried is a President Biden appointee — nominated to her post in March of 2021. Reportedly, her absence will present a notable gap in our ability to respond to several key European issues.
Current pressing issues in the European theater include the expansion and role of NATO, energy, trade and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Secretary Blinken said, “Karen has deftly managed our relationships with many of our most important allies and partners at a time when Kremlin aggression threatened decades of peace and prosperity.”
Blinken continued: “Her policy acumen, integrity, and drive defined her leadership as Assistant Secretary and represented the highest values of public service.”
The secretary added: “An exceptional leader, Karen has nurtured and empowered her team, positioning the Bureau and, in turn, the Department to pursue most effectively the interests and defend the values we share with our European allies.”
The Daily Caller reported that “Donfried previously served as president of the German Marshall Fund and in the Obama administration as Senior Director for European Affairs on the National Security Council.”
The White House has not indicated who will be nominated to replace the assistant secretary.
Donfried shared she was stepping down from her post to spend more time with her family.
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