Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid & Geopolitical News
Table of Contents 📖
"And I can't believe something as important as this globally has become a US domestic partisan issue. And that, for me, sounds a death knell for continued reliable assistance to Ukraine."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:26⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to the second part of his Ukraine War News Update for the 16th of January 2024, apologising for the video being late due to upload issues.
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Russian strikes on New York, Donetsk Oblast
🎦 00:26-01:14⏩
Jonathan reports on Russian strikes on New York, a town in the Donetsk Oblast, highlighting the damaging impact of Russian FAB-500 and KAB-500 bombs on the frontlines. He notes that while their use decreased in certain areas after Russia's aircraft losses, it has since increased, posing a significant problem for Ukrainian forces.
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Update on the downed Russian IL-22 Command and Control aircraft
🎦 01:14-01:57⏩
Jonathan provides further information on the recently downed Russian IL-22, showing side-on footage of the wreckage. He mentions Russian sources reporting 11-12 pilot deaths, fewer than the usual 15 crew members, noting the lack of reported survivors and the Russian insistence that the incident was not due to enemy fire.
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UN announces $4.2 billion humanitarian aid plan for Ukraine in 2024
🎦 01:57-02:15⏩
Jonathan reports on the UN’s strategic plan for humanitarian action in Ukraine for 2024, with a budget of $4.2 billion. Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, Iryna Vereshchuk, expressed gratitude for the UN and donor community's support.
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Switzerland pledges €1.6 billion to Ukraine for 2025-2028
🎦 02:15-02:35⏩
Jonathan announces Switzerland's pledge to provide Ukraine with €1.6 billion between 2025 and 2028, primarily for reconstruction efforts. He welcomes Switzerland's commitment to supporting Ukraine.
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Germany: Opposition leader reiterates call for Taurus missile supplies to Ukraine
🎦 02:35-02:49⏩
Jonathan reports that the Head of the German Opposition has once again urged for Taurus missiles to be provided to Ukraine. He notes that this is not a new call, but expresses hope that they will be released soon.
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Ukraine develops armor-piercing rounds for FPV drones
🎦 02:49-03:34⏩
Jonathan discusses the development of armour-piercing ammunition for FPV drones by Ukraine's Army of Drones. He recounts footage of a Russian T-80 BVM tank being destroyed by an FPV drone strike, speculating that the new ammunition may have been used given the catastrophic nature of the explosion.
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Bulgaria: Defence Minister confirms majority of Bulgarian arms production going to Ukraine
🎦 03:34-04:15⏩
Jonathan discusses Bulgaria's crucial role in supplying Ukraine with Soviet-era weapons and ammunition, noting that at the war's onset, some claimed Bulgaria was supplying a third of Ukraine's ammunition. He praises their sustained contribution, particularly given their specialization in manufacturing Soviet-era equipment.
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Russia establishes domestic Shahed drone production lines
🎦 04:15-05:11⏩
Jonathan reports that Russia has set up two Shahed drone production lines in Yelabuga, aiming for a full production cycle by 2026. While they currently rely on both domestic and imported components, this move towards self-sufficiency presents a challenge for Ukraine. He also expresses concern about Finnish companies with Russian ties continuing to export valuable technology and components to Russia.
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Zelensky meets NATO Secretary General at Davos
🎦 05:11-05:34⏩
Jonathan reports on Zelensky's meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at Davos, where they discussed the battlefield situation and Ukraine's defence needs, particularly strengthening air defence. He notes that the next NATO summit will be in Washington.
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Zelensky's diplomatic efforts in Switzerland
🎦 05:34-06:15⏩
Jonathan discusses Zelensky's visit to Switzerland, where he met with key political figures, including the Chairman of the National Council, the Chairman of the Council of Cantons, and leaders of various parties and factions within the Swiss Federal Assembly. He emphasizes the importance of engaging with those who may not be fully supportive of Ukraine.
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Canada and Ukraine to sign security agreement
🎦 06:15-08:51⏩
Jonathan discusses Canada's preparation to sign a security agreement with Ukraine, following the UK's lead. He speculates on the agreement's potential long-term significance, suggesting that it could serve as a de facto analogue to NATO's Article 5 even if Ukraine doesn't immediately join the alliance. This agreement, in Jonathan's view, could deter future Russian aggression by ensuring bilateral support for Ukraine from countries like the UK and Canada. However, after receiving information from a viewer, Chris Jones, he acknowledges that the UK-Ukraine agreement focuses more on security cooperation than a guarantee. Despite this, he still believes these agreements hold importance and could function as a deterrent against Russia.
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China restricts financing for Russian clients after US sanctions
🎦 08:51-10:40⏩
Jonathan reports on Chinese state-owned banks tightening restrictions on financing Russian clients, a move prompted by US secondary sanctions targeting foreign banks aiding Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Jonathan welcomes this development, viewing it as positive news for Ukraine as it closes loopholes exploited by Russia to circumvent sanctions.
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Potential US aid package for Ukraine uncertain
🎦 10:40-16:05⏩
Jonathan discusses the ongoing debate in the US Congress regarding a new aid package for Ukraine, noting that while discussions are underway, he is not optimistic about the outcome due to the political climate. He expresses concern over the impasse in Congress, particularly the stance of some MAGA Republicans and individuals like Marjorie Taylor Greene. This partisan divide, Jonathan argues, undermines the reliability of US support for Ukraine. He emphasizes that Ukraine needs the US, a country with vast resources and military capabilities, and that the current situation is "really depressing," Jonathan is deeply frustrated by this development, seeing it as detrimental to Ukraine's chances, especially given Russia's greater resources and manpower. The lack of US aid, he believes, could force Ukraine into a disadvantageous negotiated settlement.
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US Election: Trump and DeSantis lead in Iowa caucus, Ramaswamy drops out
🎦 16:05-19:24⏩
Jonathan shifts focus to the US political landscape, highlighting the results of the recent Iowa caucuses. He points out Trump's dominance with 51% of the vote, followed by DeSantis at 22% and Nikki Haley at 19%. He notes the withdrawal of Vivek Ramaswamy from the presidential race and speculates about potential implications for the 2028 election. He believes DeSantis's chances in 2028 are slim due to controversial policies enacted in Florida during his governorship. He also discusses controversies surrounding the ousted chair of the Florida Republican party and speculates on whether Florida might shift towards a more purple state politically. He concludes that Nikki Haley might emerge as a strong contender for second place in the upcoming New Hampshire primaries.
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Trump's stance on Ukraine and implications if elected
🎦 19:24-28:36⏩
Jonathan delves into Trump's stance on the Ukraine war, playing a clip of a previous Trump interview where he claims he could settle the war in 24 hours. Jonathan is highly critical of Trump's assertion, describing it as baseless and expressing concern that people believe it. He points out Trump's refusal to explicitly state his desire for a Ukrainian victory and instead advocating for European countries to contribute more financially. Jonathan criticizes Trump's stance as appeasement towards Russia and his echoing of Kremlin talking points. He expresses deep worry that Trump's potential presidency could result in Ukraine being forced to cede territory, which would be a significant win for Putin. He contrasts this with the bipartisan support for Ukraine in the UK, citing Labour leader Keir Starmer's commitment to aiding Ukraine for as long as it takes. He laments that the lack of unity in US politics stands in stark contrast and raises concerns about the global response to the war if the US, under a potential Trump administration, withdraws support.
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Baltic States Parliament Speaker in Kyiv, Polish-Ukrainian relations, Romanian border dispute
🎦 28:36-30:02⏩
Jonathan pivots back to geopolitical news, reporting on the Speaker of the Baltic States Parliament's visit to Kyiv, signifying a strong alliance between the Baltic states and Ukraine. He also mentions the Romanian government reaching an agreement with farmers who were blocking the border with Ukraine, resolving a dispute over Ukrainian grain imports. This agreement includes subsidies for Romanian farmers and addresses some of their demands. He concludes by highlighting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba's comments about the Ukrainian-Polish alliance within the EU, emphasizing its potential strength and mutual benefit.
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Concerns over the rise of right-wing parties in Europe and its impact on EU unity and Ukraine
🎦 30:02-32:09⏩
Jonathan expresses concerns about the rising popularity of right-wing parties in Europe and their potential impact on EU unity and, consequently, on Ukraine. He mentions Politico's report on Ursula von der Leyen's potential re-election difficulties due to this trend. As a self-professed "liberal globalist", he is troubled by the increasing desire for isolationism and the rejection of cooperation, which he sees as a dangerous trend exacerbated by Russian disinformation campaigns seeking to fragment the EU and weaken support for Ukraine.
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Global tensions escalate: Korean Peninsula, Red Sea, and Russia-North Korea relations
🎦 32:09-34:52⏩
Jonathan shifts focus to other global hotspots, highlighting the escalating tensions in the Korean Peninsula, which he describes as more dangerous than at any point since 1950. He cites analysts who believe Kim Jong-un is prepared for war after the failure to reach a diplomatic solution during the Trump administration. He expresses concern over the possibility of conflict. He also reports on a US-owned cargo ship being hit by a missile in the Red Sea, attributing it to the ongoing conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition. He predicts that this will lead to increased insurance costs, potentially impacting consumers and further fueling inflation. He links these global crises back to Ukraine, suggesting that they could divert attention and resources away from the conflict, ultimately benefiting Russia. He concludes by expressing his worry over the strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea, seeing it as a dangerous development in an already unstable global environment.
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Wrap up
🎦 34:52-36:11⏩
Jonathan concludes by expressing his personal anxiety about the day's news, acknowledging his frustration with US politics and its global implications. He acknowledges that his forthright views may have annoyed some viewers, especially those in the US. Nevertheless, he emphasizes the importance of discussing these critical issues openly and honestly, even if they are controversial. He signs off by thanking his audience and promising a live stream shortly with an important announcement.
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