Europe – Page 545 – Prologue Journal

U.S. Confirms Talks With Russia on Evan Gershkovich Prisoner Swap

New York Times The Biden administration and the family of the Wall Street Journal reporter take note of his reaching 100 days in jail. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/world/europe/evan-gershkovich-prison-swap-russia.html

Overlooked No More: Hannie Schaft, Resistance Fighter During World War II

New York Times She killed Nazis in the Netherlands and was known as “the girl with the red hair” on their most-wanted list. Then she was executed. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/obituaries/hannie-schaft-overlooked.html

Dutch Government Collapses Over Plan to Further Limit Immigration

New York Times The country’s prime minister wanted to limit entry for children of war refugees already in the country, among other things. The proposal went too far for some members of the coalition government. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/world/europe/dutch-government-collapses.html

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