Ukraine War Update NEWS: Geopolitical News, State of the Union Analysis

"Ukraine can stop Putin if we stand with Ukraine and provide the weapons they need to defend themselves."

Hello Team

🎦 00:00-01:26⏩

Jonathan welcomes viewers to the third part of his Ukraine War update. He acknowledges the large volume of news and announces a 2 PM live stream with Greg Terry to discuss mapping updates. Jonathan encourages viewers to utilize YouTube's playback speed controls to consume the content more efficiently.

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Moldova Signs Defence Pact with France

🎦 01:26-03:20⏩

Moldova has signed a defence pact with France, which includes military personnel training, consultations, intelligence sharing, and potential military aid. Jonathan highlights French President Macron's efforts to position himself as a key leader in European security amidst Russian attempts to destabilise Moldova.

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EU Vice President Visits Ukraine

🎦 03:20-03:41⏩

European Commission Vice President, Valdis Dombrovskis, visited Ukraine, reaffirming the EU's support and condemning Russia's aggression.

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Greek PM Vows Continued Support for Ukraine

🎦 03:41-04:34⏩

Following a Russian missile attack near his location in Odessa, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking in Bucharest, sent a message to the Kremlin: "You will not intimidate us. We will continue to support Ukraine." Greece is also considering sending Soviet-era military equipment to Ukraine.

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Zelensky to Meet Erdogan in Turkey

🎦 04:34-05:33⏩

Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Turkish President Erdogan. The agenda includes discussions on the Ukraine peace formula, Black Sea grain shipments, food security, and the release of Ukrainian captives.

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Turkey's Role in the Conflict

🎦 04:51-05:51⏩

Jonathan analyses Turkey's complex role in the conflict, highlighting its attempts to remain neutral while providing Ukraine with more military aid than Russia. He mentions the influx of Russians buying property in Turkey to obtain citizenship and potentially circumvent sanctions.

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India and Turkey's Potential Compliance with Sanctions

🎦 05:34-05:51⏩

There are indications that India and Turkey may be reducing their purchase of Russian hydrocarbons and aligning with international sanctions, potentially due to pressure from the US.

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Switzerland Considers Using Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine

🎦 05:51-07:26⏩

Switzerland is considering utilising over $8 billion in frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's reparations. Jonathan clarifies the difference between "freezing" and "confiscating" assets, noting the potential legal and escalatory consequences of the latter.

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US-EU Tensions Over Handling of Russian Assets

🎦 07:26-08:16⏩

Jonathan reports on tensions between the US, which advocates for the confiscation of Russian assets, and some EU countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, that favour using profits from the assets for Ukrainian reparations. He acknowledges the complexities and risks involved in confiscating assets outright.

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Sweden Joins NATO: Enhanced Security and Military Spending

08:16-11:34⏩
Sweden officially joined NATO, having significantly increased its military spending by 28% since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The country is investing in advanced military equipment, including corvettes, air defence systems, fighter jets, and submarines. Jonathan praises Sweden's robust defence industry for a nation of its size. This move strengthens NATO's presence in the Baltic Sea and allows for greater intelligence sharing. Jonathan notes that Sweden's membership is a net benefit to the alliance, enhancing both military capabilities and intelligence gathering.

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US Military Access to Swedish Bases

🎦 11:35-12:45⏩

Jonathan discusses the US-Sweden defence cooperation agreement, which grants the US military access to 17 Swedish bases in case of regional conflict. He observes that Putin's actions have paradoxically strengthened NATO.

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Polish Farmer Protest Update

🎦 12:45-13:22⏩

Jonathan briefly mentions that nearly half of the farmers detained at a recent protest in Warsaw were found to be intoxicated, suggesting the involvement of provocateurs.

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Poland Imposes Sanctions on Russian and Belarusian Food Imports

🎦 13:22-14:02⏩

The Polish parliament passed a resolution to sanction the import of Russian and Belarusian food and agricultural products, a move Jonathan applauds. This comes amid concerns about the impact of Ukrainian agricultural imports. Jonathan expresses hope that the EU will follow suit.

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UK Defence Spending Criticised

🎦 14:02-15:20⏩

Despite expressing strong support for Ukraine, the UK government's commitment to defence spending is questioned by Jonathan and defence analysts. The UK's defence budget, as a percentage of GDP, lags behind other countries, including Belgium. The Defence Select Committee seeks an urgent meeting with the Defence Secretary to address concerns about insufficient funding for the armed forces.

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UK Defence Secretary Visits Kyiv, Pledges Support

🎦 15:20-18:14⏩

British Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, visited Kyiv and declared his commitment to supporting Ukraine, labelling Putin a "dictator". However, Jonathan questions whether the UK government's actions, particularly its defence budget allocation, align with its rhetoric. He acknowledges the UK's contributions to intelligence sharing and the provision of key military equipment but emphasises the need for increased support for both Ukraine and the UK's own armed forces.

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Jonathan's Writing for 'Only Sky' Ends

🎦 15:50-16:46⏩

Jonathan shares news about the closure of 'Only Sky', a secular media organization he wrote for. He expresses sadness over the funding challenges faced by media outlets and tech startups, citing the recent collapse of Vice Media as an example.

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US Congressional Stalemate on Ukraine Aid

🎦 18:14-18:50⏩

US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, criticises the Congressional impasse on the Ukraine aid package, arguing that the delay benefits Putin and forces Ukraine to ration supplies. Jonathan emphasises that combined US and European aid would significantly bolster Ukraine's position.

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US Embassy in Russia Issues Terror Warning

🎦 18:50-19:08⏩

The US Embassy in Moscow has issued a warning about a potential terror attack targeting large gatherings in the city within the next 48 hours. The German and UK embassies may have also issued similar warnings.

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Chinese Envoy Visits Kyiv

🎦 19:08-19:33⏩

Li Hui, China's special representative for Eurasian affairs, is in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian officials as part of his European tour to promote a political solution to the conflict. Jonathan notes that Li visited Russia before Ukraine.

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US Concerns About Chinese-Made Cranes in Ports

🎦 19:33-20:43⏩

The Pentagon and US intelligence officials are increasingly concerned about potential security risks posed by Chinese-manufactured cranes operating in US ports. These cranes, which make up 80% of those used in US ports, are suspected of having espionage and electronic warfare disruption capabilities. This revelation raises significant alarm bells, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in critical US infrastructure. Jonathan argues that aiding Ukraine serves as a deterrent to China and prevents future conflicts involving Taiwan.

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Armenia Expels Russian Border Guards

🎦 20:43-21:12⏩

Armenia has taken steps to remove Russian border guards from its airport, signifying a potential shift away from Russian influence. This move aligns with similar actions by other former Soviet republics, including Georgia and Kazakhstan, which are increasingly aligning themselves with the West or, in some cases, China.

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Analysis of Biden's State of the Union Address

🎦 21:12-43:41⏩

Jonathan analyses Biden's State of the Union address, which he found to be surprisingly combative and impactful. He commends the speech's focus on policy and substance, contrasting it with what he perceives as Trump's "empty rhetoric". He points out Biden's repeated references to his "predecessor", highlighting the contrast between their approaches. Jonathan found the speechwriting particularly clever, especially Biden's tactic of using Ronald Reagan's legacy to pressure Republicans into supporting Ukraine. He observes the reactions of Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Mike Johnson, noting their seemingly genuine approval of Biden's message on Ukraine. Jonathan dissects a pivotal moment where Biden addresses the Supreme Court justices, criticising their overturning of Roe v. Wade and appealing to the power of women voters. He highlights the symbolism of Biden opening his speech with Ukraine, demonstrating the issue's significance in US politics. He analyses the Republican response, delivered by Senator Katie Britt, who focused heavily on border security, a tactic Jonathan believes is a deliberate attempt to shift focus away from Ukraine. Jonathan criticises Trump's dismissive reaction to Biden's speech, pointing out Trump's own history of inflammatory rhetoric. He notes a poll showing that 62% of viewers believe Biden's policies will move the country in the right direction, though he acknowledges the need to examine the poll's methodology. Overall, Jonathan believes Biden's speech was a success, particularly in its strong stance on Ukraine and its ability to garner bipartisan support for Ukrainian aid.

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Wrap Up

🎦 43:41-43:59⏩

Jonathan concludes by reiterating the significance of Mike Johnson's positive response to Biden's message on Ukraine. He encourages viewers to share their thoughts and thanks them for watching.

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