Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News
Table of Contents 📖
"If we want peace, then the aggressor must lose. And Ukraine must win, or we all in Europe lose."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-01:10⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to the second part of the daily Ukraine War Update. He begins by highlighting the lack of Russian naval activity in the Black Sea, attributing this to successful Ukrainian strikes. No Russian naval vessels are currently on combat duty.
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France and NATO troop deployment
🎦 01:10-06:11⏩
The French Defence Minister has walked back comments by President Macron that NATO troop deployment to Ukraine was a possibility. However, Jonathan believes this might be strategic ambiguity by France. Jonathan analyses comments by Polish and Ukrainian officials suggesting they would be open to a NATO military presence in Ukraine. Jonathan notes that the German Chancellor appears to be less keen on the idea, aligning with Slovakia and Greece. He expresses disappointment that the Slovakian Prime Minister is "stirring things up." Jonathan questions how long he can continue to be so positive about France and Macron when there are suggestions they may be supplying Ukraine with military equipment covertly.
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France supplies Ukraine with Ralec F3 fuses
🎦 06:11-07:37⏩
Jonathan reports that France has sent Ralec F3 non-contact fuses to Ukraine to use with their Caesar SPGs (self-propelled guns). These fuses will allow Ukrainian forces to detonate shells above targets, which is particularly useful for trench warfare. Jonathan explains this will be very useful for the Ukrainians.
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Czech Republic: Update on 1 million artillery shell initiative
🎦 07:37-10:07⏩
Jonathan discusses the Czech Republic's efforts to supply Ukraine with 1 million artillery shells. Whilst funding from 18 countries has been pledged, only the first batch of 300,000 shells has been financed. Jonathan explains that the process of receiving pledges, allocating funds, and delivering the shells takes considerable time, humorously illustrating the complexities of international financial transactions. Despite these challenges, he is impressed that 300,000 shells have been secured and expects the remaining funds to materialize eventually.
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Estonia announces military aid package and security agreement
🎦 10:07-11:25⏩
Estonian Foreign Minister has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine and a security agreement between the two countries. This includes a commitment to allocate 0.25% of Estonia's GDP annually for military support. The announcement came after a meeting with France and the Baltic states. Jonathan is pleased to see France playing a key role again and highlights this as further evidence that "Emmanuel Macron is a renewed human and leader."
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EU aid package and Zelensky's visit to Turkey
🎦 11:25-12:30⏩
Ukraine is set to receive €6 billion from the EU's €50 billion aid package in March. Jonathan also reports that Zelensky visited Turkey, meeting with President Erdogan and visiting a shipyard constructing two Ada-class corvettes for Ukraine. Jonathan is impressed by this and notes that Erdogan has also stated that the forthcoming Turkish elections will be his last.
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US Republicans seek to break Ukraine funding deadlock
🎦 12:30-14:21⏩
There are reports that US Republicans who support Ukraine are trying to find a way around the current Congressional impasse on releasing further aid, with suggestions that a loan-based agreement for non-military aid may be a possibility. Jonathan is hopeful that Biden's recent State of the Union address may have helped create a consensus among US lawmakers on the need to continue supporting Ukraine.
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Germany: Taurus missile debate
🎦 14:21-17:12⏩
Jonathan discusses the ongoing debate in Germany regarding supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles. Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU and potential future Chancellor, delivered a speech advocating sending the missiles, a position Jonathan supports. He argues that being prepared for war is the best way to preserve peace, directly challenging those in the German government opposed to supplying the weapons. Jonathan reports that the UK may be able to help break the deadlock by providing Storm Shadow missiles in exchange for Taurus missiles, which would allow the UK to upgrade its military capabilities. He also notes the upcoming Ramstein format meeting will take place on 19th March.
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Russia: Raids on migrants and human trafficking
🎦 17:12-20:48⏩
Jonathan reports that Russian authorities are continuing to target migrant workers to bolster troop numbers, with a raid on a Wildberries warehouse in Yekaterinburg resulting in over 30 people being sent to the enlistment office. He also discusses reports that Russia is engaged in human trafficking to address its manpower shortages. This follows an investigation by the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation that discovered at least 35 Indians were lured to Russia with the promise of work but were then forced to fight in Ukraine. Jonathan highlights this as further evidence that Russia is struggling to recruit soldiers. He shares a user comment (Tendar) who argues that Russia is experiencing severe manpower problems and is even resorting to exploiting vulnerable individuals to replenish its ranks. Tendar concludes that the so-called popularity of the war in Russia only persists because it is minorities, criminals, and foreigners who are bearing the brunt of the losses. Jonathan agrees with Tendar's analysis and suggests this is why the war needs to be brought to the major cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
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Wrap Up
🎦 20:48-20:49⏩
Jonathan signs off for the day.
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