Ukraine War Update BUMPER NEWS: Geopolitics News: D-Day Speeches, House Intel Appts
Table of Contents 📖
"The only global warming that matters to me is nuclear global warming." - Donald J. Trump
Hello Team🎦 00:00-00:18⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to a bumper Ukraine War news update, the third part for June 7th, 2024. He notes that there's an awful lot to cover, particularly surrounding the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.
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Zelensky meets D-Day veteran
🎦 00:18-02:27⏩
Jonathan highlights a touching moment between Zelensky and an American D-Day veteran. The veteran kisses Zelensky's hand, recognizing him as a modern-day warrior fighting against tyranny, drawing parallels between the liberation of France and the current conflict in Ukraine. Jonathan praises Zelensky's quick and respectful reaction, turning a potentially awkward situation into a genuinely heartwarming exchange.
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UK PM Criticised for Leaving D-Day Commemorations Early
🎦 02:27-06:25⏩
Jonathan discusses the controversy surrounding UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaving the D-Day commemorations early to conduct a political interview. This decision sparked criticism, with many viewing it as disrespectful and prioritizing domestic politics over international remembrance. Jonathan highlights the stark contrast between Sunak's actions and the attendance of previous Prime Ministers at past D-Day anniversaries, emphasizing the significance of the event and the perceived misstep by the current PM. He also notes that opposition leader Keir Starmer was present, further fuelling the criticism.
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Zelensky Receives Standing Ovation at French National Assembly
🎦 06:25-07:43⏩
Zelensky addresses the French National Assembly, thanking the parliamentarians in French. This elicits a minute-long standing ovation, even from those with pro-Russian sentiments like Marine Le Pen. Jonathan notes the significance of this gesture, particularly considering France's increasing role in supporting Ukraine, both militarily and politically, suggesting Le Pen likely joined the ovation for strategic political reasons.
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US Urges China to Participate in Ukraine Peace Summit
🎦 07:43-08:12⏩
Jonathan reports that the US is urging China to participate in an upcoming peace summit regarding Ukraine, despite expectations of their absence. The US State Department emphasizes the need for China to take action against companies aiding Russia's defense industry.
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Hungary's Stance on Ukraine Peace Summit Sparks Controversy
🎦 08:12-09:45⏩
Hungary's Foreign Minister confirms attendance at the upcoming Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, advocating for peace while expressing regret over Russia's exclusion. However, this stance draws criticism from the US ambassador to Hungary, David Pressman, who condemns Hungary's continued engagement with Russia and its dependence on Russian energy. Pressman's strongly worded statement highlights the growing tensions between the two nations over Hungary's perceived allegiance to Russia.
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EU Aims to Begin Ukraine Accession Talks Before Hungary's EU Presidency
🎦 09:45-10:07⏩
Jonathan reveals that the EU is aiming to initiate Ukraine's accession talks before Hungary assumes the rotating presidency of the EU in a few weeks. This strategic move suggests a concern within the EU that Hungary might hinder Ukraine's progress towards membership.
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French Citizen Arrested in Moscow on "Foreign Agent" Charges
🎦 10:07-11:36⏩
A French citizen is arrested in Moscow for allegedly failing to register as a foreign agent, a move reminiscent of similar tactics employed in countries like Georgia and Hungary. The individual, identified as Laurent Vinatier, works for the Swiss Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. Jonathan criticizes this action by Russia, viewing it as retaliation against France's increasingly vocal support for Ukraine, likening it to the detention of US basketball player Brittney Griner and other "hostage diplomacy" tactics.
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Italy's Salvini Criticizes Macron's Ukraine Stance
🎦 11:36-12:48⏩
Matteo Salvini, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister known for his pro-Putin stance, sarcastically suggests that French President Macron should "put on a helmet" and fight in Ukraine himself. Jonathan criticizes this statement, viewing it as a blatant attempt to undermine France's support for Ukraine and further evidence of Salvini's pro-Russian leanings, despite the Italian Prime Minister's support for Ukraine.
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Biden and Macron Clash over Military Support for Ukraine
🎦 12:48-16:14⏩
Jonathan reports that US President Biden expressed reservations about Macron's proposal to send Western military instructors to Ukraine, fearing potential escalation. He contrasts Biden's more cautious approach with Macron's increasingly assertive stance in supporting Ukraine. Jonathan suggests Macron might have a deeper understanding of Russia's threat to the EU, evidenced by his early attempts to engage with Putin, likely at Zelensky's request. He argues that Macron's recent strong support for Ukraine stems from recognizing Russia as a direct threat to the EU's stability and his own vision of a more independent Europe, free from US influence.
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France Calls Out Russian Embassy in South Africa over Fake Video
🎦 16:14-18:18⏩
Jonathan mocks a poorly staged video shared by the Russian Embassy in South Africa, attempting to depict the capture of a "French mercenary" in Ukraine. He praises the French Embassy's witty response on Twitter, calling out the blatant propaganda and suggesting the actors take French lessons at the Alliance Française. This exchange underscores the ongoing information war surrounding the conflict.
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Germany Considers Reinstatement of Conscription Amidst Ukraine War
🎦 18:18-20:16⏩
Jonathan discusses Germany's potential move towards reinstating conscription, highlighting a growing trend across Europe to bolster defenses in response to the war in Ukraine. He dismisses Rishi Sunak's recent similar suggestion in the UK as politically motivated and ill-conceived. The shift in Germany's stance, a country that suspended conscription in 2011, underscores the gravity with which European nations are now viewing the security threat posed by Russia.
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Zelensky to Address German Parliament
🎦 20:16-20:37⏩
Jonathan reports that Zelensky is scheduled to visit Berlin and address the German parliament (Bundestag) on June 11th. This will be his first in-person address to the Bundestag and is particularly noteworthy given the increasing influence of the pro-Russian AfD party in Germany.
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Ukraine War News Roundup: Stolen Grain, Protests, and ICC Charges
🎦 20:37-22:04⏩
Jonathan provides a rapid-fire update on various developments related to the Ukraine war:
- Leaked documents reveal that Spain and Turkey are among countries that imported grain stolen from Ukraine by Russia.
- Polish protesters have lifted a blockade at a Ukrainian border crossing, easing tensions over agricultural imports.
- Five Russian propagandists, known for spreading hate speech and inciting violence, face charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity related to the invasion of Ukraine.
Russian Pro-War Figure Stabbed to Death in Moscow
🎦 22:04-25:18⏩
Anton Yegovtsev, a Russian pro-war figure known for publicly denouncing celebrities critical of the Kremlin, is found stabbed to death in Moscow. While details are still emerging, Jonathan speculates that this killing could be linked to the growing tensions within Russian society between the ultra-nationalist agenda of the Kremlin and the more liberal elements, particularly those opposed to the war in Ukraine. He suggests that discord within Russia, potentially amplified by this incident, could benefit Ukraine.
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US Politics: Trump's Nuclear Fears, D-Day Speeches and Congressional Appointments
🎦 25:18-48:09⏩
Jonathan delves into US politics, highlighting the contrasting approaches of Democrats and Republicans regarding Ukraine:
- He criticizes Donald Trump's recent comments expressing fear of nuclear war, interpreting them as appeasement towards Russia and highlighting the hypocrisy within the Republican Party, where some members advocate for escalation while Trump himself appears apprehensive of the potential consequences.
- He analyses Biden's D-Day speech, praising its strong message against isolationism and tyranny. He draws parallels between the current threat from Russia and the historical context of World War II, emphasizing the importance of standing up to aggression and defending democracy.
- Jonathan then shifts focus to a concerning development in the US House of Representatives, where Republican Mike Johnson appoints two controversial pro-Trump figures, Scott Perry and Ronny Jackson, to the House Intelligence Committee. Jonathan expresses deep concern over these appointments, given their past actions and views on Ukraine. He sees this as a dangerous politicization of a traditionally bipartisan committee, potentially jeopardizing national security interests and undermining support for Ukraine. He provides background on both appointees:
- Scott Perry: Deeply involved in the January 6th Capitol attack and accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results.
- Ronny Jackson: Former White House physician with a history of misconduct allegations and known for promoting pro-Russian and anti-Ukraine sentiments.
- He criticizes the lack of transparency and consultation in these appointments, particularly highlighting the surprise of Mike Turner, the Republican chairman of the committee, who reportedly learned about it from the media.
Jonathan expresses deep concern over these developments, highlighting the potential for dysfunction and the risk of these individuals leaking sensitive information. He questions the motivations behind these appointments, speculating on the influence of Trump and his allies, and expresses concern about their potential impact on US support for Ukraine.
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Republican Congressman Urges Biden to Provide Ukraine with Long-Range Weapons
🎦 48:09-46:21⏩
Despite concerns about pro-Trump figures on the House Intelligence Committee, Jonathan highlights a letter from Representative Mike Turner urging the Biden administration to lift restrictions on providing Ukraine with ATACMS (long-range missiles) and other advanced weapons systems. Turner argues that Ukraine needs the capability to strike back at Russia and deter further aggression. Jonathan sees this as a positive sign that some Republicans are pushing for stronger support for Ukraine, even amidst internal party divisions.
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US Imposes Sanctions on Georgian Government Officials
🎦 46:21-47:05⏩
Jonathan reports on the US imposing the first round of sanctions targeting Georgian government officials, including travel bans on members of the ruling Georgian Dream party. This action signals growing US pressure on Georgia to distance itself from Russia and cease its crackdown on dissent.
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Alex Jones Agrees to Liquidate Assets, Potentially Ending InfoWars
🎦 47:05-48:09⏩
In a surprising turn of events, far-right conspiracy theorist and pro-Russian propagandist Alex Jones agrees to liquidate his assets to settle lawsuits filed by families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims. This move could potentially lead to the end of his InfoWars platform, known for spreading disinformation and promoting pro-Kremlin narratives. Jonathan welcomes this development, seeing it as a blow against the spread of harmful disinformation, particularly that originating from Russia.
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Wrap up
🎦 48:09-48:16⏩
Jonathan acknowledges the lengthy video, expressing gratitude to viewers for their time and attention.
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