Europe – Page 501 – Prologue Journal

Biden meets with Nordic leaders after progress on Sweden’s bid to join NATO.

New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/world/europe/biden-to-meet-with-nordic-leaders-after-nato-makes-progress-on-swedens-bid-to-join-the-alliance.html

Bucha gets a remake, but pain lingers behind the facade.

New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/world/europe/bucha-gets-a-remake-but-pain-lingers-behind-the-facade.html

Zelensky Returns From NATO Summit With Mixed Results

New York Times The Ukrainian leader secured new pledges of weapons and reaffirmed security commitments from powerful Western allies, but it was not clear how significant a boost they could provide for his country’s counteroffensive. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/world/europe/zelensky-ukraine-nato-summit.html

Germany Says China Trade Could Create Perilous Dependence

New York Times A long-awaited strategy statement is an attempt to set a coherent approach for dealing with China, Germany’s largest trading partner, in policy and business. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/business/germany-china-trade.html

Kevin Spacey Denies Sexual Assault Charges During U.K. Trial

New York Times Two weeks into a trial in London, the Oscar-winning actor gave his account of sexual encounters that the prosecution says were criminal acts. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/arts/television/kevin-spacey-uk-trial-testimony.html

UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace Says Ukraine Should Show More Gratitude

New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/12/world/europe/uk-ukraine-ben-wallace.html

Your Thursday Briefing

New York Times Outcomes from a NATO summit. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/briefing/nato-summit-russian-generals.html

Biden Braces NATO for Long Conflict With Russia, Making Cold War Parallel

New York Times Concluding a NATO summit focused on the war in Ukraine and other fast-changing challenges, President Biden vowed that the alliance would oppose Russian aggression for as long as needed. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/12/world/europe/biden-nato-lithuania-ukraine.html

Vandal Burns Major Public Artwork by One of Italy’s Top Living Artists

New York Times A man was detained in connection with the destruction of a monumental version of ‘Venus of the Rags’ by Michelangelo Pistoletto. City officials pledged the installation will rise again. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/12/world/europe/naples-artwork-michelangelo-pistoletto-fire.html

Despite Successes at NATO Summit, Divisions Remain

New York Times The alliance added Sweden, laid out new ambitions for itself and offered long-term support for Ukraine, promising membership someday. But Kyiv wanted more. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/12/world/europe/nato-summit-ukraine-biden.html