Europe – Page 550 – Prologue Journal

For Ukraine Military, Far-Right Russian Volunteers Make for Worrisome Allies

New York Times Some fighters who led an incursion into Russian territory this week have neo-Nazi ties. “I worry that something like this could backfire on Ukraine because these are not ambiguous people.” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/26/world/europe/the-leader-of-a-russian-group-involved-in-a-border-incursion-is-described-by-watchdogs-as-a-neo-nazi.html

Russian Missile Strike Hits Ukrainian Hospital

New York Times A Russian missile killed at least two people and wounded dozens more at a hospital, while apparent Ukrainian strikes hit occupied cities in the south. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/26/world/europe/russia-ukraine-hospital-missile.html

Berlin Police Investigate Roger Waters Over Nazi-Style Uniform

New York Times Mr. Waters, a founder of Pink Floyd, who has long been critical of Israel, has worn similar clothing in the past when playing songs from Pink Floyd’s album “The Wall.” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/26/world/europe/roger-waters-berlin-nazi.html

Evan Gershkovich Appeals Russia’s Extension of His Detention

New York Times Already jailed for two months on charges for which Russia has provided no evidence, Mr. Gershkovich has been ordered to remain in prison for three more. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/26/world/europe/evan-gershkovich-russia-detention.html

Belgium Sentences Students Over Hazing Death of Sanda Dia

New York Times Sanda Dia, a 20-year-old Black student at the Catholic University of Leuven, died in 2018 after members of an elite fraternity forced him to drink fish oil, swallow goldfish and stand in an ice-filled trench. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/26/world/europe/belgium-students-hazing-sentencing.html

Iran Frees Belgian Aid Worker in Prisoner Swap

New York Times The aid worker, Olivier Vandecasteele, had been sentenced to 40 years in prison for spying. The former diplomat was convicted of plotting a 2018 bomb attack. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/26/world/europe/iran-belgium-prisoner-swap.html

Ukraine NATO Bid Mirrors West Germany’s During Cold War

New York Times West Germany joined NATO in 1955, choosing security over immediate territorial integrity. Some suggest the same path could be the best guarantee for Ukraine. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/26/world/europe/ukraine-nato-germany.html

Burhan Sönmez on the Tensions Between Politics and Art in Turkey

New York Times Burhan Sönmez, who is president of PEN international, discusses the tension between politics and art and the role of literature in authoritarian societies. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/26/books/burhan-sonmez-turkey-erdogan.html

Turkey’s Erdogan Woos Voters in Re-Election Campaign

New York Times President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rock star appeal at his election rallies, promising to lead Turkey to claim its rightful place as a global power if he is re-elected in a runoff on Sunday. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/26/world/europe/turkey-erdogan-election.html

U.S. Condemns Deal Allowing Russia to Deploy Nuclear Weapons in Belarus

New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/26/world/europe/russia-belarus-nuclear-weapons.html