Ukraine War Update NEWS: Geopolitics News, Trump Peace Plan?

"If you've been on this two-year journey with me, we're taking what we already knew and we have expanded it incredibly."

Hello Team

🎦 00:00-00:25⏩

Jonathan welcomes viewers to another video with a cup of non-alcoholic Guinness ahead of the England Euro 2024 match.

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ICC issues arrest warrants for Shoigu and Gerasimov

🎦 00:27-01:39⏩

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has found reasonable grounds to issue arrest warrants for Russia's former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov for intentionally causing great suffering to Ukrainian civilians by directing strikes on energy infrastructure. Jonathan welcomes this news as a step towards holding those responsible for war crimes accountable.

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EU nominates Von der Leyen for second term and Kallas for EU diplomacy chief

🎦 01:39-02:41⏩

EU leaders have nominated Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as President of the EU Commission and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to replace Josep Borrell as the head of EU diplomacy. Jonathan believes that both nominations are good news for Ukraine, as they represent stability and continued support from key EU figures.

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Ukraine to implement Hungarian proposals on minority rights

🎦 02:41-03:52⏩

Ukraine has agreed to implement 11 proposals from Hungary aimed at improving the rights of the Hungarian minority living in the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine. Jonathan suspects that this concession was made to secure Hungary's support for Ukraine's EU accession talks.

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Malawi joins peace summit final communique

🎦 03:52-04:19⏩

Malawi has joined the final communique of the recent International Peace Summit in Switzerland, bringing the total number of signatories to at least 84. Jonathan notes that this is a positive step, although he would like to see greater representation from the global south.

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Analysis of attacks in Dagestan

🎦 04:19-06:01⏩

Jonathan discusses recent attacks in Dagestan by Islamic fundamentalists, including an attack on a police station. He highlights the analysis from The Guardian and Vlad Vexler, who argue that these attacks expose a vulnerability within Russia and suggest that Putin faces domestic fragility within the Russian Federation. Jonathan notes that Russia's diverse population and the presence of large Muslim communities could pose challenges for Putin's control.

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Swiss MP calls for ban on RT

🎦 06:01-07:07⏩

Jonathan discusses a Swiss MP's call to ban RT (Russia Today) following the publication of over 140 fake articles about Switzerland on their website since January, many in the run-up to the Swiss Peace Summit. He expresses concern about the impact of Russian propaganda, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the importance of a neutral stance. He questions why Switzerland, despite not being a member of the EU, has not yet taken action to ban RT. Jonathan believes that Russian propaganda is harmful to public discourse and should be treated as a serious threat, even in neutral countries like Switzerland.

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EU to block access to Russian state-owned media websites

🎦 07:07-08:57⏩

The EU has announced that it will block access to the websites of four Russian state-owned media outlets: RIA Novosti, Izvestia, Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Voice of Europe. Jonathan supports this move, arguing that these outlets are "weapons of war" used by the Kremlin to spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion. He believes that the EU is justified in taking action to protect itself from Russian information warfare.

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Nigel Farage calls for negotiations with Putin

🎦 08:57-12:12⏩

Jonathan critiques Nigel Farage's recent comments suggesting that the West should negotiate with Putin to end the war in Ukraine. He criticizes Farage and David Sachs for amplifying pro-Russian propaganda and argues that their understanding of the conflict lacks depth. Jonathan reflects on his audience's shared journey of learning about geopolitics over the past two years, contrasting it with the superficial understanding of figures like Farage and Sachs who rely on echo chambers and skim information rather than engaging in in-depth research.

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US Conservative think tank compiles list of government workers opposed to Trump

🎦 12:12-15:45⏩

Jonathan expresses deep concern over a US conservative think tank, the American Accountability Foundation (AAF), funded by the Heritage Foundation, creating a list of federal government workers deemed resistant to Trump's agenda for potential scrutiny or dismissal if Trump is re-elected. He condemns this action, drawing parallels to Soviet-era tactics and expressing alarm at the implications for democracy and freedom of speech in the United States.

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Trump's Ukraine peace plan: details and analysis

🎦 15:45-24:32⏩

Jonathan analyses a proposed peace plan for the Ukraine war, put forward by advisors to Donald Trump. The plan, which involves halting US military aid to Kyiv unless they agree to peace talks with Moscow, has drawn criticism for potentially giving Moscow the upper hand in negotiations and forcing Ukraine to cede territory. Jonathan expresses concern that the plan, if implemented, would undermine US credibility as an ally and embolden Russia. He quotes Randy Mott, a pro-Ukrainian Republican, who argues that the plan amounts to appeasement and would incentivize further Russian aggression. Jonathan is skeptical of Trump's claim that he could quickly settle the war and believes that a premature peace deal would only benefit Russia.

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Hungary will not block Ukraine and Moldova joining EU

🎦 24:32-25:13⏩

Jonathan provides an update on Hungary's stance on Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU. He notes that Hungary has pledged not to block the move, despite previously expressing reservations. He adds that Hungary will soon assume the six-month rotating presidency of the EU, during which time they could potentially make things difficult for Ukraine.

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Macron and Stoltenberg meet to discuss NATO support for Ukraine

🎦 29:19-30:02⏩

French President Emmanuel Macron has met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Paris to discuss preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in Washington. Stoltenberg emphasized that increasing support for Ukraine remains a top priority for NATO, along with strengthening the alliance's deterrence and defense capabilities. Jonathan laments the current political climate in France, which he believes is hindering the country's ability to play a more decisive role on the international stage.

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Indian Prime Minister Modi to visit Moscow

🎦 30:02-31:10⏩

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning to visit Moscow, marking his first visit to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine began. Jonathan is critical of this visit, arguing that it normalizes Russia's actions and undermines international efforts to isolate the Putin regime. He expresses disappointment that India, a member of the BRICS group alongside Russia, has not condemned the invasion and continues to engage with Moscow despite the ongoing conflict.

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Russia proposes closing beaches near military sites in Crimea

🎦 31:10-34:38⏩

Jonathan discusses a proposal by a Russian lawmaker to close beaches near strategic and military facilities in Crimea following a recent incident where an explosion near a beach in Sevastopol injured several people. He notes the irony of Russia implementing such a measure, given their ongoing justification for the invasion of Ukraine as a means to "protect" Russian speakers and interests. He suggests that Russia's continued use of Crimea as a holiday destination while simultaneously being a warzone highlights a contradictory and reckless approach. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of all parties involved in the conflict, including civilians, taking responsibility for their actions and making choices that minimize the risk to human life.

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Wrap up

🎦 34:38-None
Jonathan thanks his viewers for watching and signs off, noting his intention to catch the England Euro 2024 match.

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