Europe – Page 525 – Prologue Journal

Part of Swedish Research Rocket Lands in Norway, Causing Friction

New York Times The research rocket landed in a mountain range across the border, creating some rare friction between the two neighbors, with Norway saying protocols hadn’t been followed. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/sweden-norway-rocket.html

Relations between China and Ukraine have been uncertain since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

New York Times President Xi Jinping of China and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine last communicated in January 2022, less than two months before Russia invaded. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/relations-between-china-and-ukraine-have-been-uncertain-since-russias-full-scale-invasion.html

Germany Deems Branch of Far-Right Party an Extremist Group

New York Times The youth wing of the increasingly radical political party, Alternative for Germany, is a threat to German democracy, the country’s domestic spy agency said. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/germany-afd-youth-wing-extremist.html

Pope Will Allow Women to Vote at Meeting of Bishops

New York Times Although it is a step forward for women, they are still barred from becoming deacons, which many advocates of female leadership in the Roman Catholic Church have pushed for. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/pope-women-vote-bishops-meeting.html

Aleksei Navalny, Top Kremlin Critic, Says New Charge Carries Life Term

New York Times The jailed Russian opposition leader said he faced a terrorism case that he described as “absurd.” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/aleksei-navalny-new-charge.html

Kitsch to Creepy: Polish Town No Longer Relishes Soviet Past (or Rasputin)

New York Times A Polish town that was once occupied by the Soviets used to embrace its history with military re-enactments and Lenin banners. But “nobody wants to be reminded of Russia these days.” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/poland-russia-borne-sulinowo.html

Soviet Pop Art Duo Reunites for First U.S. Retrospective Since Their Breakup

New York Times The rebellious artists Vitaly Komar and Alexander Melamid founded their own artistic movement. They agreed to their first interview together in 20 years. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/arts/komar-melamid-zimmerli.html

Your Wednesday Briefing

New York Times Joe Biden’s bid for re-election. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/biden-election-taliban-heat.html

Russia’s Lavrov Hints at Possible Prisoner Swap for Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan

New York Times The channel to discuss detained American and Russian citizens, created in 2021, remains open, Sergey V. Lavrov said. But, he added, publicity ‘will only complicate the process.’ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/25/world/europe/prisoner-swap-gershkovich-whelan.html

Russian Lawyers Ask Court to Ease Crackdown on Dissent

New York Times With thousands arrested for criticizing the invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has “criminalized dissent,” said a lawyer who asked the court to step in. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/25/world/europe/russia-dissent-crackdown.html