Ukraine War Update NEWS: Geopolitics
Table of Contents 📖
Topic ID | Topic Title | Timestamp |
---|
"For if we walk away from the challenges of today, the risk of conflict could spread and the cost to address them will only rise. We will not let that happen."
Hello Team!
Jonathan promises this will be a short video as he has covered most of the news in the previous two parts. He will focus on a few geopolitical news items.
Return to top⤴️
Hungary's Anti-EU Stance
- Hungarian PM Viktor Orban told his party congress that Hungary must say no to the current Europe model built in Brussels, as his government continues to object to Ukraine joining the EU
- Jonathan questions how long Hungary can continue this anti-EU route while still being in the EU and drawing the benefits of the trading bloc. He believes the EU needs to do something about Hungary's stance.
Calls for Russia to Withdraw Troops
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to take the first step towards a peaceful resolution in Ukraine by withdrawing troops
- Over 100 doctors signed a joint letter calling on Putin to release Alexandra Skocilenko, a woman jailed for 7 years for swapping supermarket price tags with anti-war slogans
- Jonathan praises Skocilenko's bravery, noting the harsh punishment for her simple but pointed protest
Cyber Attacks on Ukraine
Ukraine has been the target of nearly 4,000 cyber attacks since the invasion began, three times higher than before, according to Ukrainian cyber defense officials
Return to top⤴️
Drone Attack on Moscow
- The Russian Defense Ministry claims a Ukrainian terrorist drone attack on Moscow facilities was thwarted, with the drone destroyed over the Bogorodsky district causing no damage or casualties
- Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow were frequent in the spring but have been rare recently
US Support for Ukraine
- Jonathan criticizes the Biden administration for not effectively communicating to the US public why supporting Ukraine is so important, relying too heavily on moral arguments rather than explaining the strategic, geopolitical and economic reasons
- In a Washington Post opinion piece, Biden argues the US is the "essential nation" and has a duty of leadership to pursue a positive vision for the future. Walking away from today's challenges will only increase risks and costs.
- Biden frames supporting Ukraine as an investment in US security to prevent a broader conflict. The US is keeping troops out by arming Ukrainians to stop Putin's conquest.
- Over 50 nations have joined the US to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself. Allies are sharing the economic responsibility.
- The US has also strengthened NATO to enhance security and deter further Russian aggression.
- Biden argues enormous progress can come from great tragedy and upheaval. The US must not lose resolve to pursue more hope, freedom and less war.
- Jonathan believes this rhetoric has been missing and hopes Biden's team will spread this message more often, especially on TV news.
Declining Ukraine Coverage
- According to GDLT analysis, CNN's daily news coverage of Ukraine dropped from 8% after the war began to less than 1% after the recent Hamas-Israel conflict
- The focus has also shifted from the war itself to speculation about how much aid the West is willing to provide Ukraine
- Anton Gerashchenko worries Putin is rejoicing at this trend, fearing Russia could go further if it continues as the world seems unprepared
EU Mulls Ban on Oil Tanker Sales to Russia
- The European Commission has proposed banning the sale of oil tankers to Russia to slow its growing hydrocarbon exports that bypass Western sanctions
- Any sales to third countries would forbid reselling ships to Russia or transporting Russian oil in defiance of price caps like the $60/barrel for crude
- There are concerns about Greek ships suddenly changing hands to Russian owners to be part of a "shadow fleet" exporting Russian hydrocarbons
Girkin Declares Presidential Run
- Russian ultra-nationalist Igor Girkin (Strelkov) has declared he will run for president in the 2024 elections, announcing this in a letter from prison
- Jonathan believes Girkin has no real chance of becoming president and questions the motivation, speculating it may be to keep Girkin's "brand" alive in the public consciousness for whenever he gets out of prison
Wrap up
Jonathan thanks viewers for their support, asking them to like, subscribe and share. He appreciates all the ways people support him, with details in the video description. He signs off with his customary "Take care, toodle pip!"
Return to top⤴️