Ukraine War BREAKING NEWS: Massive $1bn US Aid Package, Permission to Strike Russia?
Table of Contents 📖
"So Blinken, Antti Blinken has announced an additional, additional $2 billion in foreign military financing, FMF, for Ukraine."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:35⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to another ATP Geopolitics breaking news video about important comments from US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. Jonathan mentions that he will add details to this video about the strike at Belbeck Air Base. He also mentions that he might publish his other videos later than usual today as he is off to see a Postmodern Jukebox concert later and is "dead excited"!
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US Provides $2 Billion in Military Aid to Ukraine
🎦 00:35-04:51⏩
Antony Blinken has announced an additional $2 billion in foreign military financing (FMF) for Ukraine at a press conference with Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba. Blinken stressed that speed was of the essence, stating that delays to the delivery of supplies cause setbacks on the frontlines. Jonathan notes the significance of this being the first instance of the US providing aid of this kind; previous instances involved buying from the US, or through allies. This new package will differ in that it will also include direct investment in Ukraine's own defence industrial base. The package will include a mix of previously appropriated unobligated funds as well as new funding, and will be used to procure equipment from the US, Ukraine's allies, and Ukrainian industry. Jonathan then addresses a comment from viewer Brian Ivy who questions why the US doesn't give more equipment than they do. Jonathan agrees with the sentiment, pointing out that 100 or 300 Bradleys would make an insignificant difference to the US, but that the impact on Ukraine would be significant. He hypothesises that they may be holding back on the provision of certain equipment, such as tanks, in the hope that they can be used to greater effect later in the war, when paired with adequate air defences and long-range weaponry.
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US Gives Tacit Approval for Strikes on Russian Territory
🎦 05:52-09:27⏩
Jonathan reveals another significant piece of news from Blinken's statement; a tacit acceptance that the US will allow its supplied weapons to be used by Ukraine to strike targets within Russia's internationally recognised borders. This follows a pattern of behaviour whereby the US initially publicly opposes actions, such as strikes on Russian oil refineries, but then weeks later approves their use. Jonathan interprets this latest statement as the US telling Ukraine "we're not going to encourage you to do it, but if you do it, you do it". He adds that the UK and Latvia have also permitted Ukraine to strike targets within Russia using Western-supplied equipment, although it is not clear what equipment these countries have provided for this purpose. Jonathan states that this isn't a "game changer", but that if Ukraine begins to strike targets such as Belgorod or Bryansk, then it could have a significant impact on Russia's ability to commit to offensives.
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Belbeck Air Base Strike Update
🎦 09:27-11:41⏩
Jonathan shares further details of the recent Ukrainian strike on Belbek Air Base in occupied Crimea. Images have emerged showing that Ukrainian forces successfully destroyed a Russian S-400 92N6E radar. He explains that this is significant as it renders the S-400 launchers useless. He adds that it is more tactically astute to target the radar rather than the launcher. The images also show damage to at least two S-400 5P85 transporter erector launchers, confirming previous reports, as well as damage to other support vehicles. Jonathan notes that the damage sustained by the vehicles suggests that Ukraine may have used a mix of unitary warheads, and cluster munitions to carry out the attack. He concludes by reiterating the significance of the strike, noting that the S-400 system at Belbek would have provided air defence coverage over a large area, including Sevastopol.
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Wrap up
🎦 11:41-11:47⏩
Jonathan thanks his viewers for watching and signs off.
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