Ukraine War Update NEWS: Geopolitical News - US Congress Analysis
Table of Contents 📖
"The guy loves Viktor Orban, the guy loves Jair Bolsonaro, the guy loves, not that he's in charge anymore, King Jong-un, the guy loves Vladimir Putin, and the guy loves Xi Jinping."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:30⏩
Jonathan welcomes everyone to another update and introduces the video as the third part of the Ukraine War News Update for the 16th of March 2024, focusing on geopolitical news and analysis of the US Congress. He mentions that a viewer, Christopher, sent him an interesting video about US politics related to Ukraine aid which he plans to share and discuss.
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EU increases Pressure on Russian LNG importers
🎦 00:30-01:53⏩
Jonathan reports that the EU is increasing pressure on importers of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to cut purchases. Energy Commissioner Simpson stated that this move is part of Europe's push to reduce reliance on Russian energy and undermine the financing of Putin's war efforts. Jonathan acknowledges the challenges faced by the EU in swiftly replacing Russian energy, highlighting the time required to establish alternative infrastructure and secure supplies from other sources like the Middle East or the US.
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Finland bans Russian Cars
🎦 01:53-02:11⏩
Jonathan reports that Finland has banned cars with Russian license plates from entering the country. Vehicles already within Finland may face duty and VAT charges, after which they must leave the EU. He notes that this action aligns with similar measures taken by several Baltic states.
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Microsoft, Amazon and Google to stop access to cloud services for Russian legal entities
🎦 02:11-03:38⏩
Jonathan highlights the decision by Microsoft, Amazon, and Google to block access to cloud services for Russian legal entities starting March 20th. He notes this includes access to MS Dynamics CRM and Power BI, viewing this as another positive step in pressuring Russia. He underscores the cumulative impact of sanctions and voluntary actions by corporations, like BP, Shell, and ExxonMobil, in weakening Russia's capabilities and potentially fueling internal dissent against the war.
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US will not block troop deployments to Ukraine by other countries
🎦 03:38-04:21⏩
Jonathan discusses the statement by White House advisor John Kirby that the US is not opposed to other countries deploying troops to Ukraine. Kirby emphasized that this is a sovereign decision for each nation to make. While reiterating the US stance against deploying its own troops, likely due to historical sensitivities, Jonathan finds it significant that they are not discouraging other nations from doing so.
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Germany: Bundestag Politicians in favour of Taurus Missile Transfers
🎦 04:29-05:27⏩
Jonathan observes an interesting development in Germany: during a European Parliament session in Strasbourg, politicians from the Bundestag representing Germany's ruling coalition voted in favour of transferring Taurus missiles to Ukraine. He acknowledges that this vote isn't legally binding but finds it noteworthy as an indication of the growing support for providing Ukraine with these weapons.
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US Politics and potential ramifications for Ukraine
🎦 05:27-31:35⏩
Jonathan delves into the potential implications of US politics on Ukraine, particularly in light of the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
- Trump's stance on Ukraine Aid: He highlights the concerning statements made by Donald Trump and his associates, indicating a halt to US aid for Ukraine if Trump is re-elected. Viktor Orban's recent claim of speaking with Trump and receiving confirmation of this stance adds weight to these concerns.
- Opposition from within the Republican party: Jonathan points out the unprecedented opposition to a second Trump term from key figures who served in his administration, including former Vice President Mike Pence, former Chief of Staff John Kelly, and former National Security Advisor John Bolton. Their warnings about Trump's unfitness for office and the potential catastrophic consequences of his re-election are deeply troubling.
- Trump's History with Russia: Jonathan underscores Trump's history of pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian actions, citing his praise for Putin, his siding with Putin over US intelligence agencies in Helsinki, and the allegations of his campaign's ties to Russia during the 2016 election.
- The Republican Dilemma: He expresses concern over the Republican Party's apparent shift towards pro-dictatorship and pro-Russia sentiments, fueled by the MAGA movement. This division within the party and the potential repercussions for US foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine, are deeply worrying. He questions where moderate Republicans stand in this political landscape.
- Stalled Ukraine Aid Bill and the Role of Partisanship: Jonathan criticizes the US Congress, especially the House of Representatives, for failing to pass the Ukraine aid bill, contrasting it with their swift action on the TikTok bill. He argues that this delay highlights how Ukraine has become a partisan issue, with Republicans obstructing aid, despite the dire situation on the ground and the potential loss of Ukrainian lives.
- The Need for a Democratic Trifecta: In light of these political realities, Jonathan concludes that the best outcome for Ukraine in the 2024 election would be a Democratic trifecta (control of the presidency, Senate, and House). He believes that this is the only way to ensure continued support for Ukraine and counter the dangerous trajectory of the MAGA movement.
Wrap up
🎦 31:35-31:42⏩
Jonathan concludes the video with a direct appeal to his viewers, particularly moderate Republicans, to reflect on the current state of US politics and the potential consequences of their choices in the upcoming election. He signs off with a "take care" message.
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