Ukraine War Update NEWS: Geopolitical News
Table of Contents 📖
"It's just, honestly, I can't believe that people, literally, I can believe it because it's the America first kind of thinking, where actually, you look at Donald Trump Jr. here, you look at Trump there, and you look at these red caps, and you think, yeah, bloody America, it's brilliant, I love, I'm American, this is awesome. You're like, I'm okay with imperialism if it's my imperialism."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:11⏩
- Jonathan welcomes the team to ATP Geopolitics and introduces the Ukraine War News Update, part two, for 7th January 2025.
- He announces that the first topic will be Lukashenko's recent statement.
Lukashenko claims Belarus dictatorship is better than Ukrainian democracy
🎦 00:11-01:16⏩
- Belarusian dictator Lukashenko stated that having a dictatorship like Belarus is better than Ukraine's democracy.
- He accused Zelensky of trying to drag Belarus into the war during Orthodox Christmas.
- Lukashenko claims his regime has maintained peace.
- He denied Zelensky's claim in a Lex Friedman interview that Lukashenko apologised for Russia using Belarus to launch attacks into Ukraine at the start of the war.
- Lukashenko warned that Belarus might not withstand being dragged into the war as a state.
Polish Foreign Minister Sikorsky warns of potential EU pressure for a deal with Moscow
🎦 01:16-02:32⏩
- Polish Foreign Minister Sikorsky suggests Europe might face intense pressure to strike a deal with Moscow.
- Sikorsky questions what kind of deal a sensible Europe would accept, stating it should not allow Moscow to regain strength.
- He highlights that this pressure from America may intensify, especially with Donald Trump's inauguration approaching.
- Sikorsky believes Europe is stronger than Russian leaders perceive, and Russia is weaker than many Europeans believe.
Sikorsky: Peace for Ukraine should be on fair terms, not capitulation
🎦 02:32-02:54⏩
- Despite economic challenges, Russia shows little interest in a peace deal and rejected proposals from Trump's team.
- Russian troops are currently advancing in Donetsk and Kursk.
- Sikorsky states Ukraine deserves and needs peace, but on fair terms, not capitulation.
- Jonathan agrees, noting this contrasts with Trump's likely objective of peace at any cost, regardless of the outcome for Ukraine.
Zelensky aims for diplomatic end to war in 2025
🎦 02:54-03:14⏩
- Zelensky stated Ukraine must do everything possible to end the war diplomatically in 2025.
- He believes the war would end faster under a Trump administration.
- Jonathan suggests Zelensky is trying to appease Trump to maintain US support for Ukraine.
Macron warns Ukraine to prepare for territorial discussions
🎦 03:14-03:31⏩
- French President Macron advised Ukraine to prepare for realistic discussions on territory.
- Macron warned that there will not be a quick and easy solution to the war.
EU energy market stable despite end of Ukraine gas transit
🎦 03:31-03:43⏩
- The European Commission states the EU energy market remains stable following the end of Russian gas transit through Ukraine.
- This was announced by European Commission spokesperson Anna Kosa-Itkinen in Brussels.
Hungary claims gas prices to rise by 20% due to end of Russian gas transit
🎦 03:43-04:08⏩
- Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Scijato claims gas prices will increase by 20% due to the cessation of Russian gas transit.
- He has been critical of shutting down Russian gas supplies.
Transnistria faces power grid strain and energy crisis
🎦 04:08-05:33⏩
- Transnistria is experiencing power outages of eight hours a day to avoid losing its power grid.
- President Vadim Krasnoselsky of Transnistria states the Soviet-era grids cannot handle increased load.
- Power engineers are working in challenging conditions.
- Transnistria has been without heating and hot water since 1st January due to the halt of Russian gas transit.
Transnistria refuses Moldovan gas assistance, awaits Gazprom
🎦 05:33-05:40⏩
- Moldova offered assistance to Tiraspol (Transnistria's capital) to purchase natural gas from the European market.
- However, Transnistrian authorities refused, preferring to wait for supplies from Russia's Gazprom.
- Jonathan interprets this as Transnistria not wanting to seek help from the West or Moldova, hoping for Russian intervention.
Moldova calls for Russian troop withdrawal from Transnistria
🎦 05:40-06:06⏩
- Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Rusyn calls for Russia to withdraw its troops from Transnistria.
- He also seeks the peaceful reintegration of Transnistria under Moldovan control, starting with the Russian troop withdrawal.
NATO to deploy vessels to protect Baltic Sea infrastructure
🎦 06:06-07:28⏩
- NATO will send up to ten vessels to guard critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, according to Finnish media ILE.
- This enhanced security measure follows an incident where an electricity cable in the Gulf of Finland was cut, suspected to be by a Russian Shadow Fleet vessel.
- The operation, involving NATO and member states' navies, will last until at least April.
- The security is intended as a deterrent, as NATO cannot intercept vessels in international waters.
Indonesia granted full BRICS membership
🎦 07:28-08:57⏩
- Indonesia has been granted full membership of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa).
- BRICS is expanding, potentially including Thailand and other nations.
- Jonathan believes BRICS should not be dismissed, seeing it as a long-term challenge to US influence if it continues to grow.
- Tim White notes Indonesia's membership, describing BRICS as a collection of "anti-US rogue and or greedy states".
- Brazil, currently chairing BRICS, announced Indonesia's accession.
Brazil holds black boxes from Azerbaijan passenger jet incident
🎦 08:57-09:04⏩
- Brazil also holds the black boxes related to an incident where Azerbaijan claims Russia shut down its passenger jet.
Somber Orthodox Christmas celebrations in Georgia amid protests
🎦 09:04-10:28⏩
- Orthodox Christmas celebrations in Georgia were somber.
- Students at the Theatre University and Tbilisi University protested, singing the traditional festive song "Alilo".
- Authorities removed protesters' banners, but students continued to put them up.
- Some protesters spent Christmas night in the university lobby.
- Celebrations with food like khinkali and shashlik took place among protesters to maintain pressure on the "Russian-supporting government".
- Protests are ongoing, though not widespread, and a mass strike is planned for 15th January.
Macron warns Iran's nuclear program nearing irreversible point
🎦 10:28-10:44⏩
- Emmanuel Macron warned that Iran's nuclear program is on a potentially irreversible course, nearing a point of no return.
- He described the acceleration of Iran's nuclear program as leading "very close to the breaking point".
Trump's Ukraine envoy postpones Kyiv trip
🎦 10:44-11:28⏩
- Donald Trump's incoming Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, has postponed a fact-finding trip to Kyiv and other European capitals.
- The trip is now scheduled after Trump's inauguration on January 20th, according to Reuters.
- Jonathan is unsure of the significance of this postponement, questioning if it signals anything about Kellogg or Trump's Ukraine policy.
Tulsi Gabbard's Russian ties under scrutiny for potential intelligence role
🎦 11:28-11:49⏩
- Tulsi Gabbard, suggested by Trump for head of the Directorate of National Intelligence, is facing renewed scrutiny.
- Tulsi Gabbard's ex-staff have exposed her as a "Russian stooge".
- Her views on Russia and Assad are highly criticised, making her a controversial choice for the intelligence role.
Concerns over other Trump nominees: Pete Tegseth and RFK Jr.
🎦 11:49-12:24⏩
- Alongside Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Tegseth and RFK Jr. are also highlighted as problematic nominees for positions in Trump's administration.
- These nominations are receiving significant criticism.
Elon Musk criticises UK Prime Minister and ignores Ukrainian children's plight
🎦 12:24-13:48⏩
- Elon Musk called the UK Prime Minister "evil".
- He is actively commenting on UK issues but is criticised for not addressing the plight of Ukrainian children affected by the war.
- Reports highlight at least 16 children killed or injured weekly in Ukraine, and stolen Ukrainian children being put up for adoption on Russian-funded websites.
- Jonathan questions why Musk, vocal about other issues, remains silent on the suffering of Ukrainian children, suggesting he is "massively compromised" due to his stance avoiding criticism of Russia and China.
Russia plans to relocate more Ukrainian children from Luhansk Oblast
🎦 13:48-14:08⏩
- Russia plans to relocate 5,000 more Ukrainian schoolchildren from occupied Luhansk Oblast.
- Previously, in summer 2024, 40,000 children were deported from occupied Ukrainian territories under the guise of "recreational and patriotic education activities".
- Jonathan reiterates his question about Musk's silence on these issues.
EU fury over Musk hosting German far-right leader, potential legal action
🎦 14:08-14:58⏩
- Elon Musk's decision to host German far-right leader Alice Wiedel on a live stream on X (Twitter) has sparked fury from EU leaders and lawmakers.
- EU leaders are urging Brussels to use its full legal power to regulate Musk.
- The European Commission indicated Musk could face legal trouble under the EU's new digital rulebook.
- Jonathan notes Musk is "skating on thin ice" with EU regulations.
- He questions if the EU will stand up to Musk regarding political bias and anti-democratic tendencies on his platform.
Trump and Musk's interest in Greenland and parallels with Russian imperialism
🎦 14:58-18:34⏩
- Jonathan discusses Trump and Musk's interest in Greenland, linking it to the Ukraine situation.
- Greg Terry highlighted the similarity between Trump's approach to Greenland and Russia's actions in Ukraine - both involving taking over sovereign territories.
- Greenland has rare earth metals that Musk desires for his businesses.
- Musk tweeted that the people of Greenland should decide their future, implying they might want to join America.
- Trump stated on Truth Social that "people of Greenland are MAGA" and his son will visit.
- Trump suggests Greenland would benefit from becoming part of the US, echoing Putin-esque rhetoric of protecting and cherishing territories from a "vicious outside world".
- Jonathan is astonished by this imperialistic expansionism in 2025, seeing parallels to Putin's actions and questioning Trump's stance on Ukraine.
Trump Jr. in Greenland promoting annexation, using childish language
🎦 18:34-20:30⏩
- Donald Trump Jr. is in Greenland promoting his father's idea of annexation.
- Video footage shows Trump Jr. playing a phone call from his father to a small assembled group in Greenland.
- Donald Trump Sr.'s message included simplistic statements like "there are ships sailing around and they're not the right ships".
- Jonathan highlights Trump's "fourth-grade level" language skills and lack of geopolitical depth.
Greenland and Denmark reject Trump's annexation idea
🎦 20:30-20:44⏩
- CNN reporter Jim Schuto clarifies that Greenland is self-governing under Denmark, a US ally.
- Both Greenland and Denmark's elected leaders have stated they are not interested in being sold to the US.
Theory: Trump's Greenland move a ploy to undermine NATO
🎦 20:44-21:11⏩
- Some speculate Trump's Greenland initiative is a ploy to undermine NATO.
- The idea is that forcibly taking territory from a NATO ally could cause NATO to implode, allowing the US to withdraw.
Trump's actions signal dangerous shift away from post-WWII border sanctity
🎦 21:11-21:37⏩
- Schuteau argues that Trump's pressure campaign against a US ally would revert to 19th-century territorial acquisition rules.
- This approach, also seen with Panama Canal and Canada, signals a dangerous shift.
- Jonathan questions what this signals to Russia regarding Ukraine, China regarding Taiwan, Turkey regarding Syria, and Serbia regarding Kosovo.
Trump's imperialism gives permission to aggressive nations
🎦 21:37-22:00⏩
- Jonathan criticises Trump Jr. and Sr. for not realising they are mirroring actions they have criticised other nations for.
- He argues that such actions give "permission to aggressive nations" to act similarly towards neighbouring territories.
- He deems Trump's behaviour "absolutely egregious".
Critique of "America First" mentality and analogy of selfish actions
🎦 22:00-23:18⏩
- Jonathan criticises the "America First" mentality as one-track minded and selfish, focused solely on American interests without considering global consequences.
- He uses an analogy of murdering a neighbour for personal gain to illustrate the flawed logic of prioritising self-interest over moral principles and wider repercussions.
- He humorously says "JP first" to highlight the absurdity of such a selfish viewpoint.
Destabilizing world order and consequences of Trump's actions
🎦 23:18-24:54⏩
- Jonathan explains that even if one doesn't believe in objective moral truths, Trump's actions will destabilize the world, ultimately harming America.
- He points out economic consequences like inflationary trade disruptions and the moral implications, giving permission for global aggression.
- Schuto emphasises that the post-WWII order was built on the sanctity of borders to prevent world wars.
- Jonathan questions whether undermining this order leads to a more peaceful world, highlighting historical lessons.
Critique of "America First" supporters and selfish imperialism
🎦 24:54-26:28⏩
- Jonathan expresses disbelief that people can support Trump's actions, attributing it to a selfish "America First" mentality.
- He criticises the idea of being "okay with imperialism if it's my imperialism" and the "rules for thee but not for me" attitude.
- He argues that greed and the desire for "more stuff" without considering global consequences are dangerous.
- He outlines potential negative outcomes of such policies, including world wars, economic instability, and environmental collapse.
Canada rejects annexation, jokes about buying Alaska
🎦 26:28-27:40⏩
- Canada continues to reject the idea of becoming the "51st state".
- Although Trudeau has stepped down as Liberal leader, he remains Prime Minister until a new leader is chosen.
- Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, jokingly counters Trump's offer by suggesting Canada buy Alaska and throw in Minnesota and Minneapolis.
- Ford states Canada is the "greatest country" and Ontario the "greatest province", rejecting annexation.
- He views Trump's comments as unserious, but takes the idea seriously, vowing it will "never, ever happen".
Trump, Musk, and dangerous information spaces
🎦 27:40-28:31⏩
- Jonathan considers the situation "rather dangerous" due to Trump, Musk, and the problematic information space.
- He mentions Musk's ongoing controversial statements and announces his next video will delve deeper into issues beyond just Musk and Twitter.
- He broadens the concern to include Mark Zuckerberg and Meta, and TikTok, highlighting widespread controversial activities in information spaces.
- He believes these developments are detrimental to our "information diet".
Summary of concerning trends in media and tech ownership
🎦 28:31-30:52⏩
- Jonathan summarises concerning trends:
- Zuckerberg removed fact-checking on Meta and added Dana White to the board.
- Zuckerberg is copying Musk's "community notes" approach, aiming for "free speech".
- Jeff Bezos is paying Melania Trump $40 million for an Amazon documentary.
- Kevin O'Leary is trying to buy TikTok.
- He connects these actions to a broader trend of right-wing figures and entities taking control of major media and tech platforms.
- He notes Twitter's decline into a "dumping ground" after Musk's takeover and expresses fear of Facebook following suit.
- He mentions Meta's past financial support of Trump and Zuckerberg's alignment with Musk.
Further examples of Trump-aligned media deals: Bezos, O'Leary, ABC
🎦 30:52-31:47⏩
- Jonathan provides more examples of media deals potentially favouring Trump:
- Jeff Bezos' Amazon, competing with Musk's SpaceX, seeks government contracts and is funding Trump-related projects.
- Kevin O'Leary's potential TikTok purchase would further consolidate right-wing media control.
- ABC paid Trump $15 million to settle a frivolous lawsuit, possibly to gain favour.
- He argues that a "mega media takeover" is underway, creating a right-wing ecosystem.
- He notes that those within this ecosystem might see it as positive, but from a broader societal perspective, it raises concerns.
Concerns about democracy, free elections, and media control
🎦 31:47-31:55⏩
- Jonathan questions how free and fair elections and thriving democracies can exist under such concentrated, potentially biased media control.
- He believes paying inordinate sums to the President from strategically important media organisations is "incredibly dangerous".
Wrap up
🎦 31:55-32:01⏩
- Jonathan concludes the video, mentioning he will discuss these media issues further in a later video.
- He thanks viewers and signs off with "Toodlepips."