Ukraine War Update BUMPER NEWS: Geopolitical News - AfD, China, Orban, Press Freedom
Table of Contents 📖
"We also see countries like the US aligning themselves with Russia and then also just destroying their own press freedom, just willingly destroying it. It's deeply disturbing."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00.000-00:20.200
- Jonathan welcomes viewers to another ATP Geopolitics video, noting this is the second part of the Ukraine War news update for 2nd May 2025.
- He comments on the "crazy," "febrile," and "volatile" times, feeling they are more so than he can remember.
Euroclear to Seize €3 Billion in Frozen Russian Assets to Compensate Western Investors
🎦 00:20.200-01:38.420
- Jonathan discusses Euroclear, the organisation with jurisdiction over most frozen Russian assets, based in Belgium.
- Currently, only profits from these assets are used to underwrite loans to Ukraine.
- Euroclear now plans to seize and redistribute around €3 billion ($3.4 billion) of Russian funds.
- This seizure is intended to compensate Western investors whose cash was grabbed by Moscow in retaliation for the asset freeze, rather than directly funding Ukraine.
- Jonathan notes this is likely the first time such a move to compensate Western investors with frozen Russian assets has occurred and suggests keeping an eye on potential ramifications.
EU Plans 17th Sanctions Package Against Russia, Aligning with US Efforts Under Trump
🎦 01:38.420-02:40.280
- The EU is planning its 17th sanctions package against Russia over the Ukraine invasion.
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot (corrected from "Varro") states the EU will align both the substance and timing of this package with US efforts.
- Jonathan links this to reports that US officials have prepared options for President Trump to increase economic pressure on Russia, though Trump has not yet made a decision due to ongoing diplomatic efforts.
- Jonathan hopes Trump might come under pressure, perhaps from the Senate, to implement sanctions on Russia, viewing the EU's coordination as a potentially good sign.
Hungary's Orbán Warns EU Policy on Ukraine Could Lead to European Bankruptcy
🎦 02:40.280-03:22.960
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán claims the EU's policy of military support for Ukraine and Ukraine's potential accession to the EU could lead to Europe's bankruptcy.
- Orbán alleges, "European money is being transported to Ukraine on wheelbarrows and the EU economy is facing a severe shortage of funds."
- Jonathan ironically comments on Orbán criticising EU funding for other countries, given Hungary's status as a net beneficiary (not a net contributor) of EU funds.
Orbán Meets Far-Right Our Homeland Leader László Toroczkai Amidst Declining Popularity
🎦 03:22.960-04:08.560
- Viktor Orbán posted a photo shaking hands with László Toroczkai (corrected from "Lazar Tronatsky"), leader of the far-right Our Homeland Party.
- This meeting occurred a day after the party's May Day event reportedly featured Nazi salutes and symbols.
- Jonathan suggests that due to Orbán's plummeting popularity, joining forces with far-right extremists is becoming a real possibility for him.
- He views this as a bad sign for Hungarian politics generally, but possibly a good sign that Orbán's popularity is falling enough to necessitate associating with "unsavoury types."
Polish Far-Right MEP Grzegorz Braun Removes Ukrainian Flag; Jonathan on Far-Right Anti-Ukraine Sentiment
🎦 04:08.560-05:04.100
- Grzegorz Braun, a far-right Polish presidential candidate and sitting MEP, had his team remove a Ukrainian flag from Biała Podlaska's City Hall during a campaign rally.
- Braun admitted ordering the removal and police are investigating.
- Jonathan comments that this behaviour is characteristic of the far-right across Europe, noting that while some far-left elements (e.g., in France) may not support Ukraine, they are not typically "anti-Ukraine" in the same aggressive manner.
- He observes this pattern more with the far-right, similar to MAGA in America, who have a greater propensity to be anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia.
Israeli Airline El Al Resumes Flights to Russia After Four-Month Suspension
🎦 05:07.400-05:28.400
- Israeli airline El Al has resumed flights to Russia after a four-month suspension.
- The suspension followed an incident where an Azerbaijani aircraft was shot down during a drone attack, killing 38 people, which led many airlines to pull out of servicing Russia.
- Jonathan notes this as a reversal in El Al's routes.
German Intelligence Agency Labels Far-Right AfD Party an "Extremist Threat"
🎦 05:35.720-09:06.580
- Germany's domestic intelligence agency has officially labelled the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as an extremist threat, enabling expanded surveillance powers.
- Jonathan notes the AfD has continued to grow in polls, despite recent elections where Friedrich Merz (CDU/CSU) became Chancellor (in this 2025 speculative scenario), whose popularity has since plummeted. He attributes Merz's decline to issues like the "debt break" and coalition compromises with the SPD.
- This situation, Jonathan argues, can lead to a leakage of voters from the centre-right CDU to the AfD.
- Reporting from Kyiv Independent via Der Spiegel, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution finalised the designation after a 1,100-page report detailing extremist activity.
- This classification grants security services greater powers (wiretapping, informants, financial tracking) but does not ban the party.
- The AfD campaigns on anti-immigration, criticism of European integration, rapprochement with Russia, opposing military aid to Ukraine, and lifting sanctions on Moscow.
- Concerns over AfD's ties to authoritarian regimes (Moscow, Beijing) have deepened, with senior members investigated for collusion. Co-leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel have travelled to Russia, and Chrupalla attended a Russian Victory Day reception in Berlin in May 2023.
- The AfD's stance aligns with Germany's left-wing populist BSW party on peace talks over military support. Lawmakers from both parties walked out of President Zelenskyy's Bundestag speech in June 2024.
- Billionaire Elon Musk, a top Trump supporter, publicly endorsed the AfD.
- In recent German federal elections (in this timeline), AfD captured 20.8% of the vote.
Jonathan's Analysis: The Rise of Populist Politics (AfD, Reform UK, MAGA) and its Dangers
🎦 09:06.580-10:36.760
- Jonathan provides analysis on the rise of populist parties, drawing parallels between AfD in Germany, Reform UK, Rassemblement National in France, and MAGA in the US.
- He argues that "establishment politics is losing out to populist, simplistic rhetoric" that is unable to solve complex problems.
- He suggests "political ignorance" leads voters to anti-establishment parties that promise to "burn it down" but are not responsible governors.
- He criticises these populist movements for not having democracy at heart and existing in media ecosystems that reinforce their views without outside perspective.
Georgian-Born Painter Arrested in Greece for Spying on NATO Operations for Russian GRU
🎦 10:36.880-11:07.000
- A 59-year-old Georgian-born house painter has been arrested in Greece for spying on NATO operations in Alexandroupolis.
- According to NOL reports, he filmed military shipments, especially those to Ukraine, for over six months for a suspected GRU (Russian military intelligence) contact in Lithuania.
- Recruited in 2024, he reportedly claimed he would "help the motherland for any price."
Xi Jinping to Attend WWII Victory Event in Russia; Chinese Military Contingent Noted
🎦 11:31.600-11:50.440
- Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend a May 9th event in Russia, marking 80 years since the World War II victory.
- Jonathan notes that a Chinese military contingent will be present, describing it as a "military parade of sorts" in the heart of Russia, which is meaningful though not a huge contingent.
Russia and North Korea Reconstruct Tumen River Bridge, Signalling Deeper Ties
🎦 11:50.440-12:18.440
- Russia and North Korea have begun reconstructing a road bridge across Russia's Tumen River, scheduled for completion in 18 months.
- Russian Prime Minister Mishustin called it "truly landmark for bilateral relations."
- Jonathan points out this development has occurred amidst reports of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
- He views this as a "normalisation" and acceptance of North Korea's brutal regime, driven by Russia's desperate need for allies.
Trump Threatens Secondary Sanctions on Nations Buying Iranian Oil, Potentially Impacting China
🎦 12:19.120-14:26.813
- President Trump, via a Truth Social post, has declared that all purchases of Iranian oil or petrochemical products must stop immediately.
- Any country or person buying any amount of these products from Iran will face immediate secondary sanctions and "will not be allowed to do business with the United States of America in any way, shape, or form."
- Jonathan highlights that China imports approximately 90% of Iran's oil exports.
- He interprets Trump's statement, if serious, as a declaration of "the mother of all trade wars with China," far exceeding previous tariffs, as it implies a complete stop to all US business with China.
- Jonathan questions whether Trump is being "bombastically irresponsible, irresponsibly bombastic, lying," or genuinely serious.
US Shares Sensitive Space Operations Intelligence on China/Russia with Five Eyes Nations
🎦 14:32.053-15:05.713
- The US has begun sharing some of its most sensitive intelligence on Chinese and Russian space operations with Britain and the Five Eyes nations (UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, US).
- Previously, the activity of Space Delta 9 (a US unit focused on orbital warfare) was largely "US eyes only."
- The Times reports that US military chiefs have taken the unprecedented step of allowing UK military leaders to observe their work at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado, due to mounting concern about China's militarisation of space.
EU Fines TikTok €530 Million for Sending User Data to China
🎦 15:06.493-15:59.173
- TikTok has been handed a €530 million fine by the EU for sending users' data to China.
- Social media groups reportedly said this ruling would have negative ramifications for any company in Europe with global operations.
- Jonathan expresses approval, viewing it as the EU being "hard on these massive tech corporations" and flexing its regulatory muscles.
- He believes this will impact other big tech firms like Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) and sees it as a positive step against unconstrained data handling.
President Zelenskyy Speaks with Canadian PM Mark Carney on Peace Efforts and Coalition of the Willing
🎦 16:09.234-17:18.573
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (corrected from "Zaletsky") announced he spoke with Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney (in this speculative 2025 scenario).
- Zelenskyy congratulated Carney and the Liberal Party on their victory in Canada's federal elections.
- They discussed steps to bring Ukrainians closer to peace and cooperation with the "Coalition of the Willing."
- Jonathan suggests Canada could be a very important member of this coalition, potentially sending troops to Ukraine alongside France and the UK, leveraging Canada's close ties with both nations (Commonwealth and Quebec).
- He praises Carney's readiness to lead, not just in resisting Trump, but also in navigating global trade and diversification restructuring.
Canadian PM Mark Carney Asserts Canadian Sovereignty Against Trump's Views
🎦 17:20.573-17:36.694
- Jonathan plays a clip (or refers to one) of Canadian PM Mark Carney stating he doesn't go to Washington as a tourist but for serious discussions.
- Carney acknowledges President Trump's "territorial views" but firmly states, "That's never, ever going to happen when it comes to Canada." Jonathan describes this as Carney being "very strong."
Russian Philosopher Alexander Dugin Denounces Mark Carney's Election Win in Canada
🎦 17:37.113-18:51.894
- Alexander Dugin, described by Jonathan as a "genocidal, ultra-nationalist philosopher from Russia" whose thinking underwrites Putin's policies, reacted negatively to Mark Carney's election in Canada.
- Dugin called Carney's election a "declaration of war to Trump," labelling Carney an "ultra-globalist, woke, liberal, US-phobic." He equated "Canadians" with "Ukrainians" in this context.
- Jonathan sees Dugin's annoyance as an endorsement of Carney's victory.
- Dr. Ian Garner is quoted: "We pissed off an actual fascist. Well done, Team Canada."
Analysing US White House's "Chaotic" and Uncertain Policy Towards Russia and Ukraine Under Trump
🎦 18:56.053-25:24.133
- According to Politico, the White House is unsure how to proceed with Russia after the conclusion of a rare earth deal with Ukraine, with no consensus on next steps.
- Jonathan critiques the Trump administration's economic policy as lacking vision and coherence, making trade deals difficult. He extends this critique to its Ukraine policy.
- He highlights the "chaos" with numerous conflicting voices:
- Michael Waltz (corrected from "Mike Walz") being "downgraded" to UN Ambassador.
- Marco Rubio taking over as Secretary of State and interim National Security Advisor.
- Tammy Bruce (Trump's spokesperson) being unaware of Rubio's NSA appointment until told by journalists.
- Keith Kellogg, J.D. Vance, and Marco Rubio all giving different statements.
- Jonathan references State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stating the US will "no longer be mediators in the dialogue between Russia and Ukraine" and "will no longer act as a mediator in efforts to end the war in Ukraine." Her quote: "We'll continue to help, but we won't be flying around the world to mediate every meeting. It's now up to the two sides."
- Jonathan interprets this as the US potentially pulling out of peace negotiations due to frustration with Russia not complying and Ukraine being unable to meet unrealistic US demands that cross red lines or are unconstitutional. He suggests the US realised it wants Russia to get what it wants for trade reasons but finds this pragmatically unrealistic.
- He contrasts this with J.D. Vance stating the Trump administration will work to bring Ukraine and Russia "closer together over the next 100 days," which also contradicts Trump's "finish this in 24 hours" claim.
- Bloomberg reports Trump's team has drafted options to pressure Russia (potential sanctions).
- Marco Rubio is quoted: "Ukraine won't retake 2014 lines and Russia won't conquer all of Ukraine." Jonathan's response: "stop talking and do something," like sanctioning Russia and arming Ukraine.
US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce Calls Ukraine a "Friend" Amidst Policy Confusion
🎦 25:24.894-25:59.394
- State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce rebuffed Kremlin claims that Ukraine will soon vanish, calling Ukraine a "friend."
- She stated the US partnership with Ukraine beyond minerals strengthens security for both, and Trump's deal signals deep economic ties and US commitment to Ukraine's recovery.
- Jonathan highlights the inconsistency, as this "friend" rhetoric contrasts with previous statements about the US being a "neutral mediator." He exclaims, "Like, what is going on? Everyone's all over the place."
Jonathan Condemns Tucker Carlson's "Disgusting Rhetoric" Against President Zelenskyy and Ukraine
🎦 26:03.113-27:36.027
- Jonathan criticises Tucker Carlson for "absolute rampant nonsense and disgusting rhetoric."
- He plays/references Carlson telling Megyn Kelly that President Zelenskyy (corrected from "Zaletsky") is an "enemy of the United States" and that his government has tried to assassinate conservatives (Carlson claims "I know that").
- Carlson also falsely claimed Zelenskyy "banned the largest Christian denomination in Ukraine." Jonathan corrects this: Ukraine banned the Russian Orthodox Church because it acts as a proxy for the Russian government and harbours spies.
- Jonathan calls Carlson a "spokesperson for Vladimir Putin" and a "terrible, terrible, terrible human being."
Trump Administration Shake-up: Michael Waltz to UN, Marco Rubio Interim NSA; Laura Loomer Claims Influence
🎦 27:38.607-29:16.687
- Steve Witkoff is reportedly touted as a long-term replacement for Michael Waltz (corrected from "Mike Walls") as National Security Advisor, a position Jonathan notes had six different people in Trump's first term.
- Laura Loomer is apparently claiming she is behind the "terminations" of Michael Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong. John Jackson is quoted on the danger of "absolute clowns at the helm." Loomer reportedly called it "a scalp."
- Jonathan describes Loomer as a "dangerous, right-wing extremist, nutjob, conspiracy theorist" whose influence in the White House is unsurprising, alongside figures like Tucker Carlson, Donald Trump Jr., and Stephen Miller.
- Trump announced via Truth Social that Waltz will be his pick for UN Ambassador, and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as interim National Security Advisor while continuing at the State Department. Jonathan expresses disbelief ("Wow") and wonders if Trump is setting Rubio up for a fall.
GOP for Ukraine Highlights Republican Disappointment; Jonathan on the Human Cost of Trump's Delayed Aid
🎦 29:25.387-33:35.487
- Jonathan mentions a video from "GOP for Ukraine," showcasing Republicans who are disappointed with their party's handling of the Ukraine situation and its stance on Putin.
- He acknowledges Republicans in his viewership who strongly support Ukraine, some still hoping Trump will be "okay" for Ukraine and the US, others rejecting Trump but holding to "old school republicanism."
- Jonathan argues Trump is "clearly wrong for Ukraine." Even if Trump eventually does the right thing (e.g., sanctions Russia, aids Ukraine), the initial delays (three months in this term, seven months in early 2024) have caused Ukrainian deaths that can never be undone.
- He asserts Trump will never gain "decent plaudits" for any eventual positive action due to the initial cost in lives. He uses an analogy of a Nazi who later does good deeds, stating the horrific initial actions remain.
- Jonathan believes true support for Ukraine from a US president should have entailed strong sanctions on Russia from January 20th (presumably Trump's inauguration) and maximum weapons aid. He notes that $3.8 billion in Presidential Drawdown Authority aid for Ukraine remains unreleased.
Trump Plans $50 Million Military Birthday Parade While Cutting USAID Child Hunger Funding
🎦 33:36.967-34:36.627
- Jonathan reports (citing sources like Associated Press) that President Trump is planning a $50 million military-style birthday parade, featuring 6,600 troops, 150+ vehicles, 50 helicopters, and seven marching bands.
- This is contrasted with Trump cancelling funding to feed starving children through the USAID program.
- Jonathan highlights the claim that the cost of this "ego fest" could feed one million children for an entire month and questions the leadership that makes such a trade-off. He notes Trump's known fondness for military parades.
UK-US Trade Deal Downgraded to "Second-Order Priority" by Trump Administration
🎦 34:37.107-35:23.427
- President Trump has reportedly made a trade deal with the UK a "second-order priority," a blow to UK ministers.
- The UK is said to be in "second or third tier negotiations."
- Jonathan comments on the irony for Brexit supporters (from UKIP/Reform areas) who hoped leaving the EU would lead to amazing global trade deals, noting the US deal hasn't materialised nine years after Brexit and is now relegated.
UK Local Elections: Reform UK Sees Massive Gains, "Shellacking" Conservatives and Labour
🎦 35:23.847-42:12.780
- Jonathan discusses recent UK local election results (in this 2025 scenario), where Conservatives and Labour have been "absolutely shellacked," with Reform UK as the major winners.
- He equates Reform UK with parties like AfD and Rassemblement National, describing them as populist, anti-establishment, and largely (but not exclusively) working-class.
- He criticises Reform for lacking a serious, costed policy platform, as they've been a fringe opposition. He notes their only previous council control ended in bankruptcy.
- Results show six council control changes to Reform, mainly from Conservatives but also taking significant Labour votes.
- Durham: Labour vote dropped to 4%, Reform rose from 4% to 66%.
- Runcorn and Helsby by-election: Labour lost a safe seat to Reform by six votes (Labour 38.70%, Reform 38.72%).
- Jonathan predicts Reform will "tonk the crap out of" Conservatives and Labour in the next general election, forcing Labour to consider a progressive alliance with Lib Dems and Greens.
- He views the rise of Reform as partly due to "political ignorance," with many using it as a protest vote without fully understanding what the party stands for beyond being anti-immigrant.
Trump's Influence on Conservative Parties: Mixed Fortunes in Canada and Australia
🎦 42:13.420-46:30.501
- Chris O'Wickey is quoted: "Trump is on the verge of destroying the electoral fortunes of another conservative party in the English speaking democracy."
- Jonathan analyses how Trump's influence, or "MAGA populism," is affecting conservative parties globally.
- Canada: Trump's direct attacks on Canada (e.g., suggesting it become the 51st state) flipped the "Maple MAGA" vote (supporting Pierre Poilievre - corrected from "Poliev") back to the Liberal Party under Mark Carney.
- Australia: The conservative Liberal Party, having associated more with Trump ("Make Australia Great Again"), might be politically hurt as Trump has become divisive internationally. An MRP poll for the 2025 Australian election (possibly occurring "tomorrow" from the video's perspective) shows Labour with an 18-seat majority (up from 7 in 2022). Jonathan notes PM Anthony Albanese has come across well, while his opponent (referred to vaguely as "Durrant") has not.
- He discusses the rise of "Teal Independents" in Australia – moderate conservatives, similar to how UK Lib Dems might attract voters if Conservatives align too closely with Reform.
- This leads to the UK Conservative party's identity crisis: whether to ally with Reform for power or adhere to conservative ideals.
Declining Global Press Freedom: US Ranking Hits Record Low Amidst Trump's Media Attacks
🎦 46:38.120-52:30.180
- Jonathan discusses the decline in global press freedom, highlighting that the US has hit a record low in the World Press Freedom Index.
- He attributes this partly to President Trump's actions: suing media outlets (CBS, ABC's George Stephanopoulos), Amazon "genuflecting" with a Melania documentary while its Washington Post refused to endorse a candidate to appease Trump.
- Reporters Sans Frontières (Reporters Without Borders) reports an "unprecedented economic crisis" for independent outlets in Europe, worsened by the collapse of American aid and Russian propaganda.
- Jonathan also notes the economic decline of mainstream and local media as news consumption shifts to aggregators (like himself) and online sources, impacting funding for investigative journalism.
- He criticises the Trump White House for excluding mainstream media from briefings for three consecutive days, instead inviting "right-wing influencers."
- Dom Lucre, an influencer reportedly suspended by Twitter for posting screenshots from a child sex abuse video, was invited.
- He plays/describes a clip where the press secretary (Tammy Bruce) gives a glowing introduction to another influencer, Rogan O'Hanley ("former Hollywood entertainment lawyer...fed up with far-left ideologies...7 million followers"), allowing him the first question.
- Jonathan calls this "despicable," stating the White House is curating questioners to reinforce its media ecosystem and maintain power.
Final Thoughts on Press Freedom and Wrap Up
🎦 52:30.180-52:47.740
- Jonathan concludes by expressing deep concern that countries like the US are "aligning themselves with Russia" in terms of undermining press freedom, and are "willingly destroying" their own.
- He describes this global situation as "deeply disturbing" and a "bit of a worry."
- He then signs off, thanking viewers and asking for their thoughts.