Ukraine War Update NEWS: Geopolitical News
Table of Contents 📖
"It's because they want to do just as terrible things in space as they do on Earth."
Hello Team🎦 00:00-00:19⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to the third part of the Ukraine War News update for the 25th of April 2024, acknowledging that he has already posted a lot of content today, but assuring viewers this geopolitical news update will be concise.
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European Parliament condemns Putin's illegitimate election
🎦 00:19-01:25⏩
The European Parliament has overwhelmingly voted to condemn the recent Russian presidential election as illegitimate, citing a lack of alternative candidates, media freedom, independent observers, and political freedoms. The resolution also calls on EU member states to provide humanitarian visas and support to dissenting Russians.
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Jonathan questions if Russia meddles in European elections
🎦 01:25-1:44⏩
Jonathan questions if the vote was truly reflective of how members feel given how worried people are about Russia and their potential to meddle in the elections. He wonders if some members are engaging in virtue signalling by voting against the resolution for fear of repercussions, before concluding that it's a great result.
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European Parliament condemns Georgia's foreign agents law
🎦 01:44-02:17⏩
The European Parliament has condemned Georgia's controversial foreign agents law, which has sparked protests in the country. Jonathan expresses hope that Georgia will resist pressure from its increasingly pro-Russian government.
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Macron calls for stronger European defence and reduced reliance on the US
🎦 02:18-04:13⏩
In a speech at Sorbonne University, French President Emmanuel Macron called for a stronger and more integrated European defence system to reduce reliance on the United States. He also proposed bolstering Europe's cybersecurity capabilities, fostering closer defence collaboration with the UK, and establishing a European academy to train high-ranking military personnel. He stressed the need to prevent a Russian victory in Ukraine, highlighted the threat posed by Russia, and emphasised the need for a stronger European defence industry. Jonathan sees this as good news for the UK defence industry, which he previously worried would be excluded from a new European defence strategy aimed at sourcing 60% of defence equipment from within Europe.
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Polish Foreign Minister outlines new foreign policy focussed on security
🎦 04:13-07:26⏩
Polish Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski, presented his vision for Polish foreign policy to the Polish Parliament. The central theme is 'Secure Poland in Strong European Union', with a focus on supporting Ukraine and strengthening the EU and NATO's eastern flank. Key points include:
- Poland will continue to increase its military capabilities.
- A permanent US base will be established in Redzikowo.
- Poland has spent $9 billion assisting Ukraine through 44 support packages.
- Over 950,000 Ukrainian citizens have received Polish ID cards and many more currently call Poland home.
- Poland will champion Ukraine's EU membership and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
- Poland is open to discussions about reforming the EU, including changes to Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) on sanctions.
- Strengthening relations with Germany is paramount, with a suggestion that Germany invests in the security of Poland and the broader region.
- Closer collaboration within the Weimar Triangle (France, Germany, Poland) is prioritised.
- Regional cooperation with Nordic, Baltic, Czech, and Romanian partners will form the foundation for regional strength and leadership.
- Sikorski concluded by stating that Poland and its allies face a stark choice: a defeated Russian army beyond Ukraine's borders or a hostile Russian army on Polish borders.
Jonathan is impressed by Poland's commitment to defence spending, exceeding even the US as a percentage of GDP and praises Sikorski's staunch advocacy for Ukraine.
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Ukraine begins security agreement negotiations with Portugal
🎦 07:26-7:35⏩
Ukraine has initiated discussions with Portugal on a bilateral security agreement, with both parties agreeing on a timetable for future talks. Jonathan welcomes this development.
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Macron wants to reintroduce strategic ambiguity on European defence
🎦 07:36-10:22⏩
Jonathan analyses a quote from Macron in which he discusses the need for 'strategic ambiguity' in European defence policy in light of Russia's aggression. Macron argues against outlining clear strategic limits, highlighting the need for missile defence and deep-strike capabilities as essential for strategic signalling and escalation management against 'uninhibited adversaries'. He emphasizes that the EU must be capable of defending its interests and allies, potentially alone, and calls for increased investment in European defence production, citing the need for common standards and a 'European preference' in military procurement. Jonathan notes the historical reliance on American and sometimes Korean military equipment, questioning how Europe can achieve long-term autonomy without committing to developing its own defence industry. He supports Macron's call for a 'European preference' and agrees that fragmentation in the European defence industry is a weakness, citing the current war in Ukraine as an example where incompatible equipment has hampered cooperation. He sees Macron's statement as an attempt to promote the French defence industry, specifically the Rafale fighter jet. Jonathan concludes by highlighting the centrality of nuclear weapons to France's military strategy, pointing out that France is one of only two nuclear powers in the EU and referencing a video by the YouTube creator 'Perun' on French military strategy.
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Zelenskyy welcomes UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and thanks Britain for its support
🎦 10:22-11:05⏩
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met with UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in Kyiv, thanking him for Britain's latest defence aid package worth £500 million. Zelenskyy underscored the importance of extending sanctions against Russia and preventing their circumvention. He expressed gratitude for the UK's unwavering support since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, emphasising the value of the partnership between the two countries.
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Pope Francis calls for peace talks but fails to condemn Russia
🎦 11:06-12:05⏩
Pope Francis has again called for peace negotiations between warring nations, referencing Ukraine and Gaza, but without explicitly demanding Russia's withdrawal. Jonathan is critical of the Pope's stance, arguing that he should be unequivocally urging the aggressor (Russia) to stop its aggression instead of appearing to apportion blame equally.
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Ukraine sells assets of former Russian banks to fund defence and its economy
🎦 12:06-12:41⏩
Ukraine has sold off assets belonging to former subsidiaries of Russian state-owned banks, raising $126 million to support the country's defence and economy. The Ukrainian Ministry of Economy hailed it as the first instance of assets from the aggressor nation being utilised for Ukraine's benefit. Jonathan observes that Russia will likely have seized and utilised Ukrainian assets within its borders.
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Tucker Carlson platforms "international human rights lawyer" who claims Ukraine is repressive
🎦 12:41-14:01⏩
Jonathan criticises Tucker Carlson for giving a platform to an "international human rights lawyer", Bob Anstam, who described Ukraine as the most repressive country he has ever visited, claiming that democracy in Ukraine is a farce. Jonathan, quoting Twitter user Gina Christian, highlights the hypocrisy of these claims in light of Russia's persecution of faith communities in occupied Ukrainian territories. He reveals that Anstam is actually staunchly anti-Ukrainian and questions his credentials.
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Cyprus extradites German-Russian national to the US for sanctions evasion
🎦 14:01-14:57⏩
A court in Cyprus has approved the extradition to the US of Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian citizen, for violating sanctions against Russia. Arrested in August 2023, Petrov was charged with illegally exporting US-made microelectronics to Russia. Investigators traced the components from Russian missiles used in Ukraine. Jonathan, referencing a recent talk by Jake Broe, underlines the importance of making an example of sanctions evaders to deter others.
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Russia vetoes UN resolution on banning nuclear weapons in space
🎦 14:57-16:07⏩
Jonathan expresses disbelief at Russia's decision to veto a UN Security Council resolution, jointly proposed by the US and Japan, that would have reaffirmed the Outer Space Treaty's prohibition against placing nuclear weapons in Earth's orbit. He cites reports of Russia developing a nuclear-capable satellite, a development he finds deeply concerning. He notes Putin's public denial of any intention to deploy nuclear weapons in space, arguing that if true, Russia would not have blocked the resolution. Jonathan believes Russia's actions reveal their intention to replicate their earthly behaviour in space.
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EU prepares sanctions on ships transporting North Korean weapons to Russia
🎦 16:07-16:31⏩
The EU is preparing to impose sanctions on vessels involved in delivering North Korean weapons to Russia, including a North Korean ship currently docked in a Chinese port. The sanctions will also target North Korean tankers found in violation of the G7's price cap on Russian oil.
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Russia sells gas to China at a lower price than to European markets
🎦 16:31-18:15⏩
Bloomberg reports that Russia is supplying China with natural gas at prices up to 28% lower than those charged to European customers. The arrangement, based on a Russian Economy Ministry outlook, is expected to continue until at least 2027. Jonathan sees this as detrimental to Russia in the long term, as it gives China leverage to dictate prices, potentially impacting Russia's budget and economic forecasts. He believes the deal will increase Russia's economic dependence on China, creating a potentially dangerous dynamic where China gains a degree of control over Russia and extracts further concessions. He argues that Russia's growing reliance on China demonstrates their diminishing options on the world stage as more countries align with the EU, US, and their allies in condemning Russia's actions.
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