Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid
Table of Contents 📖
"This is not charity. You Americans are getting the benefit out of this."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:09⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers and explains there will likely be a third video for today due to the volume of military aid news.
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Rumours of Zaluzhny's Sacking
🎦 00:09-00:51⏩
Jonathan addresses rumours circulating online about the alleged sacking of Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valerii Zaluzhny. He expresses his skepticism, believing it to be pro-Russian disinformation and advises viewers to be cautious about such information. He notes that these rumours have been circulating for months, fuelled by suggestions of tension between Zaluzhny and Zelenskyy, likely overblown by pro-Kremlin sources.
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EU Aid Package and Orban's Conditions
🎦 00:51-02:09⏩
Jonathan discusses Viktor Orban's statement that Hungary is prepared to support a €50 billion EU aid package for Ukraine. However, Orban insists on an annual vote on the funding, essentially giving him veto power. While acknowledging this delays the aid, Jonathan views it as a pragmatic compromise, ensuring at least some of the four-year funding package will be released immediately.
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Questions over the Nature of EU Aid
🎦 02:09-04:11⏩
Jonathan raises questions regarding the nature of the €50 billion EU aid package. He questions whether it is solely military aid, humanitarian aid, or a blend of both, highlighting the lack of definitive information. Although it's being reported as military aid, he references Andrew Perpetua's view that it may not entirely be military-focused. Jonathan acknowledges the urgent need for military aid, mentioning discussions about Ukraine potentially using financial aid to purchase US artillery ammunition due to the impasse in Congress. He expresses hope that the EU aid will include military equipment, citing a Reuters report indicating EU leaders will emphasize accelerating missile supplies to Ukraine at their upcoming summit.
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Military Aid Updates: Netherlands & Belgium
🎦 04:11-05:16⏩
- The Netherlands has committed €132 million ($122 million) in military aid to Ukraine. This includes €87 million for shells, €25 million for an equipment purchase fund, and €10 million for cyber protection.
- Belgium has signed a memorandum to strengthen joint weapons production with Ukraine. Jonathan notes that Belgium has been criticized for not providing enough bilateral aid, instead relying on EU funding mechanisms, leading to less public recognition for their contributions.
Military Aid Updates: Luxembourg & Greece
🎦 05:16-06:25⏩
- Luxembourg has joined the F-16 coalition, with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal expressing gratitude to Luxembourg's Prime Minister for his role in creating an IT coalition and joining the F-16 effort.
- Greece is set to receive up to $200 million in additional US military financing to facilitate arms provisions to Ukraine, alongside proposed F-35 sales. Jonathan speculates that this might be a way for the US to circumvent the congressional impasse on direct military aid packages to Ukraine by conducting separate military deals with countries like Greece and then encouraging them to transfer equipment onwards.
Military Aid: Tanks from Kuwait & Croatia
🎦 07:05-09:23⏩
Jonathan reports that Kuwait has transferred over 100 M-84AB tanks to Croatia for repairs and potential transfer to Ukraine. He details this complex arrangement, referencing Croatian and Serbian military sources:
- Croatia will modernize a batch of Kuwaiti M-84AB tanks, a licensed version of the Soviet T-72, before sending them to Ukraine.
- Six M-84AVs have already arrived in Croatia, with more on the way.
- The Duro Dakovic holding, a company that produced licensed copies of Soviet tanks during the Yugoslav era, will carry out the modernization.
- Jonathan ponders who is financing these refurbishments, suggesting it could be the EU, Germany, or the US. He highlights the intricate network of equipment transfers occurring to support Ukraine.
- He further notes that Croatia might receive 25 Leopard 2A4 tanks from Germany's Rheinmetall in exchange, tanks originally owned by Switzerland but approved for transfer to non-belligerent countries.
- He concludes that this transfer of familiar tank technology will be highly beneficial for Ukraine.
Increased Ammunition Production
🎦 09:23-10:47⏩
Jonathan shifts focus to ammunition production, emphasizing that both the US and Europe are actively working to increase their output:
- Rheinmetall is constructing a new ammunition factory in Germany specifically to support both the Bundeswehr and Ukraine.
- He counters criticism of the EU's pace in delivering the pledged one million artillery shells, arguing that the commitment itself is a positive step and any increase in production is a move in the right direction.
- He highlights the challenges of scaling up production in the EU due to bureaucratic complexities compared to the US, but remains optimistic about the long-term outlook for sustained support.
Skynex Air Defence Systems
🎦 10:47-11:52⏩
Jonathan reports that Rheinmetall Italy's CEO has confirmed the delivery of a second Skynex air defence system, financed by Germany, to Ukraine in March 2024. He showcases the system's capabilities, describing it as a palletized autocannon capable of engaging numerous aerial targets simultaneously, particularly drones, and notes that the first delivered battery is performing well in Ukraine.
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Zelenskyy's Concerns on Recruitment
🎦 11:52-13:13⏩
Jonathan highlights Zelenskyy's concerns about the impact of the war on Ukraine's population and military recruitment. Zelenskyy reveals Ukraine currently has 880,000 soldiers, but points out that nearly 7 million Ukrainians have fled the country, impacting tax revenue and the pool of potential recruits. Zelenskyy is advocating for Ukrainians abroad to return, recognizing the need for a robust workforce and a larger pool of eligible recruits to bolster Ukraine's defence. Jonathan sees this as a critical challenge for Ukraine, as a diminished population directly impacts its ability to sustain the war effort.
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Upgraded Gepard Air Defence Systems
🎦 13:13-14:17⏩
Jonathan talks about the German-supplied Gepard air defence system. He draws attention to a newly added component on the turret, speculating it might be a counter-drone sensor or jammer. He emphasizes the growing significance of integrating counter-drone capabilities into modern military vehicles, anticipating continuous evolution in both drone technology and countermeasures.
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Ukraine's Need for Advanced Technology
🎦 14:17-18:18⏩
Jonathan discusses Ukraine's evolving approach to its defence industry. He quotes Ukraine's Minister of Strategic Industries, Oleksandr Kamyshin, who acknowledges that Ukraine cannot outproduce Russia in conventional weapons production. Kamyshin emphasizes the need to focus on advanced technology and innovation, highlighting the effectiveness of Ukrainian-made drones in striking targets within Russia. Jonathan believes this strategy, coupled with international partnerships, will enable Ukraine to develop a technologically advanced and self-sufficient defence sector. He also notes that this approach benefits Ukraine's partners, who gain access to valuable knowledge and technology developed during the conflict.
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South Korean Aid for Water Infrastructure
🎦 18:18-19:33⏩
Jonathan reports that South Korea will assist Ukraine in restoring water infrastructure damaged during the war. He cites the Kozaryvska Dam in Kyiv Oblast as a pilot project for this initiative, announced during South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's visit to Kyiv in 2023. Jonathan notes the dam's strategic importance in defending Kyiv and the urgent need for its restoration to prevent flooding. He expresses gratitude towards South Korea for their support and highlights the dam as a potential target that Russia, thankfully, refrained from attacking.
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Stalled US Aid Package and Congressional Impasse
🎦 19:33-21:22⏩
Jonathan expresses frustration over the stalled $61 billion US aid package for Ukraine, held up by congressional Republicans since October 2023. He criticizes the four-month impasse, pointing out that people are dying and Ukraine is struggling to maintain its defences. He criticizes the Republicans' inaction, highlighting their previous success in securing concessions on the bill, only to then refuse to pass it, seemingly waiting for a change in administration. He finds their stance "disgusting" and counterproductive.
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US Arms Sales Surge and Ukraine's Impact
🎦 21:22-29:10⏩
Jonathan delves into the economic benefits of supporting Ukraine, particularly for the US arms industry:
- He cites a Politico report indicating a 50% surge in US arms exports in 2023, a phenomenal increase driven by the Ukraine war, reaching an estimated $238.4 billion. He emphasizes the positive impact this has on the US economy, extending beyond arms manufacturers to encompass supply chains and local communities.
- He argues that emphasizing these economic benefits is crucial to garnering public support for continued aid to Ukraine.
- Jonathan criticizes Republican lawmakers who remain opposed to the aid package, suggesting they need to understand the multifaceted benefits of supporting Ukraine.
- He uses the example of Senator James Lankford, who was censured by the Oklahoma Republican Party for working with Democrats on a border security bill. Jonathan praises Lankford as a pragmatic politician willing to compromise for the greater good, contrasting him with the partisan politics of those who prioritize loyalty to Trump over national and international interests.
- He concludes by reiterating that supporting Ukraine is not charity, but a strategic investment with substantial economic and geopolitical returns for the US and its allies.
Wrap up
🎦 29:10-29:36⏩
Jonathan thanks his viewers for watching, asks them to like and subscribe and says goodbye.
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