Europe – Page 507 – Prologue Journal

No Wagner Group Here: Riddles Grow as Belarus Displays an Empty Base

New York Times Two weeks after the Wagner mercenary group’s rebellion against Russian military leadership, its fate is as murky as ever — as is the purpose of a newly revived military base in Belarus. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/world/europe/belarus-wagner-base-lukashenko.html

Cluster munitions are a question for individual countries, NATO’s secretary general says.

New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/world/europe/cluster-munitions-are-a-question-for-individual-countries-natos-secretary-general-says.html

Democrats Denounce Biden’s Decision to Send Ukraine Cluster Munitions

New York Times Some lawmakers questioned how the United States could maintain the moral high ground while supplying Ukraine with weapons that could harm civilians. Republicans cheered the move. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/world/europe/biden-cluster-munitions-ukraine-democrats.html

Germany Celebrates Wolf Biermann, a Singer Who United East and West

New York Times A show at the German Historical Museum honors Wolf Biermann, whose music and moral stance endeared him to audiences across the once divided country. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/arts/music/wolf-biermann-exhibition-berlin.html

Switzerland and Austria Join Sky Shield Air Defense Initiative Amid Threats Raised by Russia-Ukraine War

New York Times The Sky Shield initiative is aimed at strengthening Europe’s air defenses to deal with threats highlighted by Russia’s assault on Ukraine. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/world/europe/switzerland-austria-sky-shield-germany-russia.html

Zelensky will discuss the grain deal with Turkey’s president, with a NATO bid in mind, too.

New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/world/europe/zelensky-to-discuss-the-grain-deal-with-turkeys-president-with-a-nato-bid-in-mind-too.html

Ukrainian Soldiers Get Creative as Donors Become War-Weary

New York Times A robust fund-raising operation has been critical in supplying Ukraine’s military. But as the war drags on, contributions have lagged. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/world/europe/raising-money-ukraine-war.html

Fire Breaks Out at Milan Retirement Home, Killing at Least 6

New York Times The cause of the blaze, which also sent dozens of people to the hospital, was under investigation. “It could have been much worse,” said the city’s mayor. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/world/europe/milan-italy-retirement-home-fire.html

Your Friday Briefing

New York Times A weighty decision on contentious weapons for Ukraine. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/briefing/ukraine-cluster-wagner-heat.html

Lukashenko Says Prigozhin Is in Russia, as Wagner Mystery Deepens

New York Times After the mercenary boss staged a brief insurrection in Russia, the leader of Belarus said his country had taken him in, but now says the Wagner leader was in St. Petersburg and then “maybe he went to Moscow.” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/06/world/europe/prigozhin-russia-belarus-lukashenko.html