Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid
Table of Contents 📖
"Musk is a tool, because he is. And he is, at least in this context, and what he has said about Russia, just go and look at his words, and it tells you all you need to know."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:20⏩
Jonathan Pearce welcomes viewers to another ATP Geopolitics video on the Ukraine War. This update focuses solely on military aid and covers news from the past 24 hours.
Return to top⤴️
Norway to Provide Ukraine with NASAMS Air Defence Systems
🎦 00:21-01:19⏩
Norway plans to send Ukraine 10 additional NASAMS air defence systems, a joint Norwegian-US production. While these are expensive and highly effective, there might be manufacturing delays, as evidenced by a Canadian order placed earlier. Jonathan emphasizes the urgency of expediting this aid.
Return to top⤴️
Germany's Taurus Missile Decision: A Reluctance to Lead?
🎦 01:19-04:19⏩
Jonathan discusses Germany's potential supply of Taurus missiles to Ukraine, initially attributing the delay to US President Biden. However, he corrects this based on information from Edward Hunter Christie, citing German opposition parliamentarian Kieser Wetter who claims it's Chancellor Scholz delaying the decision. Wetter asserts Scholz requires Biden's approval before supplying the missiles to Ukraine, a pattern observed with tank deliveries in 2023. Jonathan delves into Scholz's political strategy, suggesting he prioritises acting in lockstep with the US over other European allies and seeks cover from the White House for potentially controversial decisions.
Return to top⤴️
US Aid to Ukraine: A Critical Lifeline
🎦 04:19-06:13⏩
Jonathan shifts focus to US aid to Ukraine, highlighting a concerning report from American officials. They warn that Ukraine's air defence missile supplies will be depleted by next month without replenishment. Jonathan discusses speculation about the US potentially supplying older Patriot missiles through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program, citing analysis by Turchy based on missile fragments recovered from a downed Russian Il-76 cargo plane. He underscores the importance of continued US aid, quoting Tom Nichols's article in The Atlantic, which argues that Russia could gain an advantage without sustained US support.
Return to top⤴️
Trump's Controversial Stance on NATO and Russia
🎦 06:13-10:46⏩
Jonathan expresses strong disapproval of former President Trump's recent statements about NATO and Russia. He criticises Trump's claim of withholding protection from European allies who don't meet defence spending commitments, highlighting that many European nations, including Poland, contribute a larger percentage of their GDP to defence than the US. Jonathan labels Trump's remarks as disinformation, dangerous, and reckless, emphasizing the potential for such rhetoric to embolden Russia and undermine NATO unity. He cites an article from The Atlantic that condemns Trump's stance and calls his claims about conversations with European leaders "fanciful nonsense." Jonathan expresses concern that a significant portion of the American public supports these views, demonstrating a concerning shift in the political landscape.
Return to top⤴️
US Provides Long-Range Strike Capabilities to Ukraine
🎦 10:46-11:24⏩
Jonathan welcomes the news of US Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander's confirmation that the US has supplied Ukraine with long-range strike capabilities, including drones and GLSDB (Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb). He notes this is the first time the US has publicly acknowledged supplying such drones to Ukraine.
Return to top⤴️
Netherlands: 'No Restrictions' on Military Support for Ukraine
🎦 11:24-12:51⏩
Jonathan reports on Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren's call for increased military aid to Ukraine, advocating for no restrictions on conventional weapons, training, or spare parts. He praises the Netherlands' commitment, noting they've provided €2.63 billion in military support since February 2022, despite being a relatively small country compared to the US. Jonathan emphasizes that the scale of contributions should be considered in relation to a country's size.
Return to top⤴️
Starlink in Ukraine: Musk's Controversial Decision
🎦 12:51-14:14⏩
Jonathan revisits the controversy surrounding Russia's use of Starlink within occupied Ukrainian territories. He firmly criticizes Elon Musk for not restricting Russian access while previously geofencing Crimea to prevent Ukrainian forces from using it. Jonathan argues that Musk's actions clearly favour Russia and dismisses attempts to excuse his behaviour.
Return to top⤴️
Finland Increases Military Aid to Ukraine
🎦 14:14-15:01⏩
Jonathan reports that Finland will send an additional €190 million in military aid to Ukraine, bringing their total contribution to €1.8 billion. He commends Finland and other Nordic and Baltic states for their substantial support, emphasizing their understanding of the Russian threat. Jonathan highlights their commitment to bolstering European defence, referencing Mina Alander's article discussing Finland's decision to double ammunition production in preparation for potential future conflicts.
Return to top⤴️
US Election: Potential for Michelle Obama Candidacy?
🎦 15:01-17:10⏩
Jonathan shares a rumour he heard about the potential for Michelle Obama to run for US President, suggesting this could be a strategic move for the Democrats to address concerns about Biden's age and approval ratings. He believes Michelle Obama could energise the Democratic base and potentially appeal to a broader range of voters. Jonathan acknowledges his current focus on the Ukraine war influences his perspective on the US election, expressing concern that a Trump presidency would be detrimental to Ukraine's interests.
Return to top⤴️
Ukraine Develops New Kamikaze Drone 'DART'
🎦 17:10-17:53⏩
Jonathan presents footage of Ukraine's new kamikaze drone, the "DART," which boasts a range of 30 kilometres and a 3kg warhead. He compares its design to the Lancet drone, noting the front-mounted propeller and potential use of x-wing design elements. Jonathan emphasizes Ukraine's growing drone capabilities.
Return to top⤴️
Ukraine Grapples with Mobilisation Challenges
🎦 17:53-19:34⏩
Jonathan discusses the challenges Ukraine faces regarding mobilisation. He cites David Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People party, who states that mobilisation can't occur without demobilisation, meaning current soldiers' contracts need to end before new ones can begin. Jonathan points out the dilemma Zelensky faces—while mobilising more troops might seem like a solution, it could cripple the Ukrainian economy as people flee and essential workers are pulled into military service. He highlights the complexity of the situation and acknowledges the potential downsides of any decision Zelensky makes. Jonathan also mentions a Ukrainian official's claim that the country has enough resources to sustain itself for only two months, further emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Return to top⤴️
Ukrainian Pilots Praise F-16 Fighter Jets
🎦 19:34-20:18⏩
Jonathan shares positive feedback from a Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot (callsign "Phantom") currently undergoing training in the US. The pilot states that the F-16 has exceeded expectations, surpassing the capabilities of Soviet-era aircraft. Jonathan expresses hope for a swift but well-managed deployment of these jets once training is complete.
Return to top⤴️
Wrap Up
🎦 20:18-20:23⏩
Jonathan concludes the update, promising to cover geopolitical news in a separate video. He encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and share the video.
Return to top⤴️
