Ukraine War Update NEWS: Geopolitical News
Table of Contents 📖
"Elon Musk literally is at the centre of the US government. He's placed himself in the White House."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:05⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to the third part of his Ukraine War News Update for the 4th of December 2024, focusing on geopolitics. He opens with a humorous reference to the recent events in Syria and South Korea, suggesting a tongue-in-cheek narrative about Ukrainian involvement in global affairs.
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Russia Linked to Suspicious Incidents in Europe
🎦 00:05-01:14⏩
Jonathan highlights a statement from the Czech foreign minister claiming Russia's involvement in over 100 "suspicious incidents" across Europe in 2024, including hybrid attacks and espionage. He criticizes the West's inadequate response to this hybrid warfare, particularly the tendency in the U.S. to downplay Russia's actions while blaming Ukraine.
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Russian Warship Fires at German Helicopter
🎦 01:15-01:26⏩
Jonathan reports on a recent incident where a Russian warship fired signal ammunition at a German helicopter in the Baltic Sea, expressing concern about the potential for escalating conflict.
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Russian Delegation Walks Out of UN Security Council Meeting
🎦 01:27-02:51⏩
Jonathan criticizes the Russian delegation for walking out of a UN Security Council meeting on Syria as Raed Saleh, director of the White Helmets, began speaking. He finds their behavior rude and calls for their removal from the Security Council.
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Russian Bomb Strikes Hospital in Idlib
🎦 02:52-04:21⏩
Jonathan presents footage of a Russian bomb striking a hospital in Idlib, Syria. He highlights the recurring pattern of Russian attacks on hospitals in both Syria and Ukraine, referencing a previous incident where Médecins Sans Frontières provided coordinates of medical facilities to Russia, only to have them targeted.
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Syrian Rebels Capture Russian Equipment
🎦 04:21-05:09⏩
Jonathan reports on the Syrian rebels' (HDS) capture of a significant amount of Russian military equipment, including T-90A tanks, Tiger MRAPs, BM-21 rocket systems, trucks, and armored vehicles. He humorously offers 20p to anyone who can get the equipment to Ukraine.
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Putin Faces Naval Losses in Three Regions
🎦 05:09-06:03⏩
Jonathan discusses the assessment of the U.S. Army Europe commander, who believes Putin risks losing naval assets in Syria, the Black Sea, and the Baltic region. He notes that Russia's influence in the Baltic has diminished since the invasion of Ukraine, with Finland, Denmark, and the Baltic nations restricting Russian naval movements.
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Botswana and Angola to Push Russia Out of Diamond Market
🎦 06:03-07:08⏩
Jonathan reports that Botswana and Angola, the world's second and fourth largest diamond producers, are working to help the G7 and EU block Russian diamonds from global markets. He acknowledges that this move will likely benefit these countries by driving up diamond prices but views it as positive news given Russia's prominent role in the diamond trade.
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Maria Zakharova's Visa Cancelled for OSCE Meeting in Malta
🎦 07:09-08:03⏩
Jonathan discusses the cancellation of Maria Zakharova's visa for an OSCE meeting in Malta, attributed to "circumstances beyond our control." He notes that the cancellation likely relates to Russia's war in Ukraine, which was expected to be a central topic of discussion.
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Political Turmoil in South Korea
🎦 08:03-12:11⏩
Jonathan delves into the political turmoil in South Korea, where President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law in response to a scandal involving his wife. This action triggered impeachment proceedings from opposition parties. Jonathan notes the pro-Ukrainian stance of the opposition leader and the public's generally weak sentiment towards Ukraine. He connects this to the recent visit by Ukrainian officials seeking military equipment from South Korea, which ended without a deal. Jonathan cites an article from the South China Morning Press discussing the complexities of South Korean law regarding arms exports to active war zones and the influence of public opinion. He further analyzes the historical instability of South Korean presidencies, marked by coups, imprisonments, and executions, providing context for the current situation.
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Crackdown on Opposition in Georgia
🎦 12:12-13:29⏩
Jonathan expresses concern about the situation in Georgia, where he sees a growing threat to democracy. He cites reports and footage showing a heavy deployment of police forces in Tbilisi and the brutal detention of opposition leaders. He urges the Georgian people to remain strong but acknowledges the difficulty of resisting such a crackdown.
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NATO Secretary General Suggests Ukraine Postpone Peace Talks
🎦 13:29-13:56⏩
Jonathan reports that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has suggested Ukraine postpone peace talks with Russia until Western allies can provide sufficient military aid to strengthen Kyiv's negotiating position. He highlights Stoltenberg's strong stance on supporting Ukraine.
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Political Instability in France
🎦 13:56-18:03⏩
Jonathan shifts focus to the political instability in France, where a no-confidence vote against the center-right government led by Michel Barnier is underway. He explains the context, recalling the far-right's success in European elections, Macron's subsequent snap election, and the formation of the current government. He expresses skepticism about the potential for a "better" outcome, predicting ongoing chaos and highlighting the global rise of anti-establishment sentiment reflected in election results. He analyzes the U.S. election, noting the narrow majority secured by Trump despite winning swing states. He points out the slim House majority, making it challenging for Republicans to pass legislation without bipartisan support. He emphasizes the shallow nature of Trump's mandate, contrasting it with the widespread perception of a resounding victory.
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TikTok Admits to Pro-Russian Manipulation in Romanian Election
🎦 18:03-23:15⏩
Jonathan discusses the Romanian presidential election, where pro-Russian candidate Karlin Georgescu advanced to the second round, aided by a massive disinformation campaign on TikTok. He reports that TikTok removed 66,000 fake accounts and 10 million fake followers related to the Romanian election. He emphasizes the extent of social media manipulation by nefarious state actors, particularly Russia, and the role of platforms like TikTok and Twitter as weapons in information warfare. He criticizes Elon Musk for facilitating this manipulation and his susceptibility to Russian and Chinese influence. Jonathan cites reports confirming TikTok's admission of pro-Russian manipulation, specifically the promotion of Georgescu through bot networks, one of which was linked to Russia. He condemns TikTok's delayed action in removing these networks until after the first round of elections. He further emphasizes the importance of the EU's power to regulate and hold platforms like TikTok accountable for disinformation, contrasting it with the limited influence of individual nations like Britain. Jonathan criticizes Musk's opposition to EU regulations, linking it to his support for Trump, who aimed to weaken regulations that could have affected Musk's businesses.
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Hungary's Foreign Minister Appears on Russian State TV
🎦 23:15-24:06⏩
Jonathan highlights Hungary's deepening alignment with Russia, citing the appearance of Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó on Russian state-controlled TV network RT. He criticizes Szijjártó for engaging with Russian propaganda and views it as evidence of Hungary's pro-Russian stance.
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Bulgarian Spies Targeted Ukrainian Soldiers Training in UK
🎦 24:06-26:44⏩
Jonathan reports on the case of three Bulgarian spies arrested in the UK for working with Russia. He cites information from Christopher Miller in the Financial Times, revealing that the spies targeted Ukrainian soldiers undergoing training on complex air defense systems at a U.S. military base in Stuttgart, Germany. The spies, led by Orlin Rousseff, used IMSI catchers to intercept mobile phone data of Ukrainian personnel. Jonathan details the prosecution's case, which alleges that the spies acted under the direction of an Austrian national linked to Russian intelligence. He explains the potential seriousness of their actions, highlighting the possibility of tracking Ukrainian soldiers and exposing their locations in Ukraine based on intercepted mobile phone data.
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US Imposes New Sanctions on Russian and Iranian Oil Transportation
🎦 26:44-27:20⏩
Jonathan reports on the U.S. imposing new sanctions on 35 entities and vessels involved in transporting Russian and Iranian oil. He speculates on whether these sanctions represent new targets or a tightening of existing measures to close loopholes.
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Speaker Johnson Announces No Further Aid to Ukraine
🎦 27:20-28:02⏩
Jonathan conveys the announcement by Speaker Mike Johnson that there are no plans to provide additional aid to Ukraine. He notes the contradiction with the "Kellogg plan" that promised more aid if Russia refused negotiations. He quotes Johnson deferring the decision to the incoming president, Trump.
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Jonathan's Concerns about Trump's Stance on Ukraine
🎦 28:02-29:05⏩
Jonathan expresses his concerns about Trump's lack of support for Ukraine, highlighting Trump's reluctance to condemn Putin as a dictator or war criminal. He contrasts this with the condemnation from Biden and Harris. He argues that Trump's admiration for strongman leaders and Johnson's announcement suggest a potential shift in U.S. policy towards Ukraine under Trump. He expresses his internal conflict about the "Kellogg plan," feeling torn between optimism and concern based on different pronouncements from Trump's team.
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Chinese Man Arrested in US for Arms Shipments to North Korea
🎦 29:06-29:42⏩
Jonathan briefly reports on the arrest of a Chinese man in the U.S. for allegedly shipping weapons to North Korea. He expresses puzzlement about the types of weapons involved, given North Korea's existing arsenal.
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Blinken Promises Continued US Support for Ukraine Until January 20th
🎦 29:42-31:45⏩
Jonathan cites a report from The Guardian stating that outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his final visit to NATO headquarters, pledged continued U.S. efforts to funnel arms to Ukraine before Trump takes office. He highlights the contrast between Blinken's promise and Johnson's earlier announcement. He quotes Blinken emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the U.S. commitment until January 20th. He then discusses Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, and his history of standing up to Trump during his previous presidency, which earned him Trump's respect. He views Stoltenberg's appointment as beneficial for advocating for Ukraine with the incoming Trump administration.
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Blinken Urges Ukraine to Consider Further Mobilization
🎦 31:45-32:58⏩
Jonathan reports on Blinken's statement urging Ukraine to make hard decisions about further mobilization. He acknowledges the U.S. push for Ukraine to mobilize younger individuals despite demographic challenges. He quotes Blinken emphasizing the need for personnel to repel Russian aggression and acknowledges the dilemma faced by both Ukraine and Russia regarding full mobilization due to its economic and political risks.
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Jonathan's Concerns about US Democratic Backsliding and GOP Figures
🎦 32:58-38:02⏩
Jonathan reiterates his concerns about the U.S. sliding towards autocracy after January 20th, citing the influence of figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in the incoming Trump administration. He emphasizes Musk's problematic views on Ukraine and his central role in plans to slash government spending. He criticizes Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens for their pro-Russian rhetoric and their significant influence within the GOP and the American right. He recounts Carlson's previous interview with Putin, which he believes legitimized Putin among Trump supporters, and his upcoming interview with Lavrov, viewing it as controversial and harmful. He denounces Owens for backing Russia and spreading homophobic propaganda about Zelensky, characterizing her as a divisive figure who utilizes her race to legitimize pro-white narratives among right-wing audiences.
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Anne Applebaum's Analysis of Potential Peace Deal Approaches
🎦 38:02-41:13⏩
Jonathan discusses Anne Applebaum's analysis of three potential approaches to a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, presented by Richard Grenell, Keith Kellogg, and Cyrus Vance. He shares Applebaum's concern that these plans fail to address how to stop Russia's aggression. He expresses his own worry that a U.S.-imposed peace deal would disproportionately burden Ukraine, forcing them to make concessions while letting Russia off the hook. He criticizes the proposals for focusing on what Ukraine should give up rather than holding Russia accountable. He lists the key elements of each proposal, emphasizing the asymmetry and lack of consequences for Russia.
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Jonathan's Skepticism about Forced Negotiations and Russian Intentions
🎦 41:13-42:51⏩
Jonathan expresses his skepticism about forced negotiations, believing they would benefit Russia. He argues that Russia could use talks as a delaying tactic while continuing the war and gaining leverage. He quotes Joshi's assessment that while Russia's strategic aims remain unchanged, they might accept a deal as a temporary advantage. Jonathan reiterates his concerns about the U.S. democratic backsliding under Trump, citing "Project 2025" and the influence of wealthy individuals shaping government spending decisions. He criticizes the potential for corruption and the erosion of democratic institutions. He provides an example of Republican Representative Richard McCormick backtracking on campaign promises to protect Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare, arguing that these programs now need to be cut.
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US Manufacturing Boom Attributed to Bidenomics
🎦 42:51-47:37⏩
Jonathan discusses a U.S. manufacturing boom fueled by Biden's economic policies, including the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the infrastructure bill. He presents data showing a significant rise in manufacturing construction spending, predicting that many factories will begin operations in January. He argues that this boom is a direct result of "Bidenomics," despite the term being used pejoratively. He expresses frustration that Trump will likely take credit for this economic success, repeating the pattern from his transition from Obama. He criticizes the focus on the "Hunter Biden" scandal while ignoring Trump's pardoning of Blackwater contractors convicted of massacring Iraqi civilians. He rejects any comparison between the two situations, emphasizing the severity of the Blackwater case.
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Trump's Remarks about Canada Joining the US
🎦 47:37-48:12⏩
Jonathan touches on a recent incident where Trump suggested Canada could become the 51st state of America. He humorously points out Trump's use of a stock image featuring the Matterhorn, a Swiss mountain, in a post about Canada.
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Wrap Up
🎦 48:12-50:20⏩
Jonathan concludes the video by reiterating his concerns about democratic backsliding in the U.S. and around the world. He urges viewers to pay attention to the actions of the incoming Trump administration and any signs of erosion of democratic norms. He emphasizes the global struggle between democracy and autocracy, with Ukraine fighting for the Western ideal while the U.S. and parts of the EU show signs of backsliding. He ends by thanking viewers for their support and introducing a viewer-created AI music piece inspired by his channel, acknowledging the cringe factor but expressing appreciation for the song. He encourages viewers to check out the song on YouTube, mentioning the creator's channel, "Rizzit World."
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