Europe – Page 503 – Prologue Journal

Ukraine’s Push Around Bakhmut Presents Russia with Tough Decisions

New York Times Kyiv’s forces have reclaimed ground near the city that it took Russian forces months to seize, raising pressure on Moscow to devote more fighters and equipment there. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/16/world/europe/ukraine-russia-bakhmut.html

German Court Convicts Five Men for Green Vault Jewel Heist

New York Times The trial brought to light the extraordinary story of how members of a notorious crime family broke into one of the most secure museums in Germany. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/16/arts/design/green-vault-jewel-heist.html

German Court Convicts Five Men for Green Vault Jewel Heist

Getting to the Heart of Mexico, One Chile at a Time

New York Times A human rights researcher in Ukraine, on break from her often grueling work, crisscrossed three Mexican states in search of the stories behind the spice. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/16/travel/mexico-chile-pepper-spice.html

Belarus State Media Release a Photo of Lukashenko Amid Ill Health Rumors

New York Times Aleksandr G. Lukashenko, a Kremlin ally, had not been shown since he attended events last week celebrating the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/16/world/europe/belarus-president-lukashenko-photo.html

Your Tuesday Briefing

New York Times Pledges for more military aid from Ukraine’s European allies. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/16/briefing/ukraine-aid-palestinians-trump-inquiry.html

Former U.S. Embassy Employee Is Being Held in Moscow, Russian State News Says

New York Times The State Department had no immediate comment on the report that the man, identified as Robert Shonov, had been arrested and charged with conspiracy. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/15/world/europe/robert-shonov-detained-russia-moscow.html

In European Tour, Zelensky Reaps Billions More in Promised Military Aid

New York Times His trips to Britain, Germany, France and Italy demonstrated the shifting political landscape when it comes to supporting Kyiv, as concerns grow about U.S. backing as the presidential election looms. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/15/world/europe/ukraine-war-zelensky-foreign-aid.html

Former U.S. Embassy Employee Is Being Held in Moscow, Russian State News Says

New York Times The State Department had no immediate comment on the report that an American, identified as Robert Shonov, had been arrested and charged with conspiracy. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/15/world/europe/american-detained-moscow.html

With New Weapons, Ukraine Has Much of What It Needs for Counteroffensive, Analysts Say

New York Times The additions to Ukraine’s arsenal, which include more tanks, drones and other weapons from Germany, may signal that Western officials believe Kyiv’s forces could reclaim significant swaths of territory. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/15/world/europe/ukraine-weapons-counteroffensive.html