Ukraine War BREAKING NEWS: JD Vance Insults European Nations & Troops, Europe "Seething"

"This guy is an absolute plum tool, right? And he is doing damage to the US PR, to the US identity abroad, and not only with the decisions, but the things he's saying. And the present Trump administration is imploding as far as I'm concerned."

Hello Team

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Jonathan begins by expressing his frustration that "stuff just keeps happening", lamenting the lack of time for a cup of tea and lunch before having to report on breaking news concerning a significant diplomatic faux pas by JD Vance which has angered many in Europe.

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JD Vance's Comments Cause Anger in Europe

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Jonathan highlights the anger among Europeans, particularly within the British military, over comments made by JD Vance, who criticised European nations for not doing enough to support Ukraine militarily. Jonathan expresses that the anger stems from Vance's previous stance urging Europe to increase its military contributions, only to criticise them when they express a willingness to do so. Jonathan believes that this suggests Vance's true intentions lie in driving a wedge between the US and Europe, aiming to foster closer ties with Russia.

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JD Vance's "Random Country" Comment

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Jonathan plays a clip of JD Vance, where Vance argues that a mineral deal offering the US an economic stake in Ukraine is a better security guarantee for Ukraine than a peacekeeping force from "some random country that hasn't fought a war in 30 or 40 years." Jonathan criticises Vance's argument as flawed, pointing out that American economic interests in Ukraine existed before the Russian invasion but didn't deter Putin's actions. He highlights the growing outrage among Europeans over Vance's dismissive remark, emphasizing that it has escalated into a significant diplomatic incident.

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European Nations' Military Contributions & Casualties in Afghanistan & the Sahel

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Jonathan cites defence correspondent Sachin Joshi, who highlights the historical inaccuracy of Vance's statement, given the deaths of over 1,000 non-US NATO allied troops in Afghanistan and over 60 French casualties in Sahel campaigns. Jonathan lists the number of casualties from various countries in Afghanistan, including the US (2,461), UK (457), Canada (159), Denmark (43), Georgia (32), and Estonia (9), noting that the deaths per million for the US, UK, Georgia, and Denmark were comparable. He mentions that Vance is attempting to backpedal on his comments.

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Reactions to Vance's Comments From Deborah Meaden, Former Estonian Prime Minister, Nicolas Vallance and Boris Johnson Quote

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Jonathan discusses the backlash against Vance's comments, highlighting Deborah Meaden's condemnation of Vance for disrespecting British soldiers who fought alongside their allies. He reads a poignant statement from the former Estonian Prime Minister, who personally attended the funerals of Estonian soldiers who died in Afghanistan, emphasizing that Estonia's losses were significant relative to its population. Nicolas Vallance expresses outrage over Vance's comments, considering them worse than the Munich speech, as they disregard the sacrifices made by Europeans in American-led campaigns. Jonathan also mentions Boris Johnson's previous statement expressing gratitude for global stability under Trump, noting that the comment has aged poorly in light of recent events.

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Analysis of Vance's Comments

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Jonathan analyses Vance's comments, highlighting that Vance, while questioning the value of a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, specifically referred to a "random country with limited war records", a veiled insult seemingly directed at Britain and France. He points out that both countries have expressed willingness to contribute troops to protect Ukraine, with Britain having recent combat experience in the Gulf Wars and the Falklands. He criticizes Vance's attempt to backpedal by claiming he wasn't referring to Britain or France, arguing that Vance's initial comments were intentionally vague and disrespectful.

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Downing Street Response & Vance's Backpedalling

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Jonathan reports that Downing Street has issued a statement praising the record of British troops who served and died alongside American allies in Iraq and Afghanistan, emphasizing their contribution to global security and defending shared values. The statement, while not directly addressing Vance's comments, subtly counters his narrative by highlighting Britain's commitment to protecting its national interests and ensuring a lasting peace for Ukraine. Jonathan then analyses Vance's attempt to defend his statement, in which Vance claims he was not referring to Britain or France and that other countries lack the experience and equipment to contribute meaningfully to peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine. Jonathan and journalist Antonello Guerrero challenge Vance's explanation, pointing out that only the UK, France, and potentially Australia have expressed willingness to send peacekeeping troops, directly contradicting Vance's claim of "many countries" volunteering.

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Expert Commentary on Vance's Statements and US-Europe Relations

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Jonathan presents commentary from various experts on the implications of Vance's statements, suggesting that the Biden administration is not engaging in good faith with Ukraine and Europe. He highlights concerns that Vance's remarks are a deliberate attempt to damage US-European relations, potentially at the behest of the Trump administration. Some commentators compare Vance's actions to those of Elon Musk, suggesting they are part of a broader trend of aligning with Russia and undermining transatlantic partnerships. Jonathan argues that this behaviour from US officials, who seem to be favouring adversaries over allies, will have negative consequences for the US in the long run.

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Potential Consequences of US Actions for US-Europe Relations

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Jonathan speculates about the potential ramifications of the Trump administration's actions, suggesting that the US is damaging its international reputation and relationships with its allies through both its policy decisions and the rhetoric employed by officials like Vance. He suggests that the Trump administration's actions, including its perceived shift towards autocracy and cozying up to Russia, could lead to a loss of support from both the public and within the Republican party. He expresses concern about the potential for a complete breakdown in US-European relations, which could result in Europe shifting its economic and military partnerships away from the US. Jonathan speculates that Europe might redirect its significant military spending away from the US and towards developing its own defence capabilities. He expresses concern about the damage Trump's policies are inflicting on the US economy and international standing, pointing to the declining stock market as a potential indicator of deeper economic trouble. He concludes by emphasizing that these consequences are likely the result of decisions made by the Trump administration, which may not reflect the best interests of the American people.

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Wrap Up

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Jonathan ends the video without his usual sign-off/thanks.

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