Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid & Geopolitical News
Table of Contents 📖
"The US that they so desperately, desperately need... but I think for him [Mike Johnson] it's more important that he doesn't lose his speaker role and keeps Trump in Trump's good graces, really."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:14⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to another video on the Ukraine War, noting it's the second part for March 23, 2024, and expects it to be shorter than usual due to the amount of news.
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Krechka City Terrorist Attack: Russia pushing narrative of Ukrainian involvement
🎦 00:14-02:00⏩
Jonathan revisits the terrorist attack on the Krechka (not Krokus) City venue, highlighting reports that Putin's administration has instructed state-funded media to emphasise potential Ukrainian involvement. He reiterates his belief that the attack was genuine but suspects Russia will exploit the situation to garner support for the war by portraying Ukraine as culpable. Jonathan anticipates Russia will use this to justify mobilisation and fuel anti-Ukrainian sentiment.
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EU Military Aid: Bloc considers joint debt to finance defence industry and support Ukraine
🎦 02:00-05:06⏩
Jonathan discusses an article in Le Monde that suggests the EU is at a turning point, with member states considering going into debt to finance their defence industry and provide arms to Ukraine. He emphasises the gravity of the situation, suggesting the world is essentially at war, even if not everyone recognises it. Jonathan argues more needs to be done to support Ukraine, highlighting conversations with Greg and Jenny who painted a bleak picture of the situation on the front lines, where Ukrainian forces are struggling and in desperate need of air defenses, F-16s, and ammunition. Jonathan stresses that the West needs to provide more military aid, including ATACMs to target airbases in occupied territories and curb Russian air operations. He believes supporting Ukraine is a long-term project requiring sustained commitment from Western allies.
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UK Military Aid: Britain announces new package for Ukraine, including advanced drone systems and air defense
🎦 05:06-06:46⏩
Jonathan reports that the UK has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine totalling £80 million, encompassing advanced drone systems (£60m) and air defense systems (£20m). He emphasizes the urgency of delivering these systems to Ukraine, noting that Russia has begun deploying its own new drone, the B drone, which can carry and launch other FPV drones and act as a signal repeater, extending the range of drone operations. Jonathan highlights the evolving nature of drone warfare.
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France: Macron shifts stance, emphasising intensity and duration of support for Ukraine
🎦 06:46-07:51⏩
Jonathan observes a shift in French President Emmanuel Macron's approach to Russia, moving away from his previously cautious stance. Macron now emphasizes the need for "insistent assistance" to Ukraine, focusing on both the intensity and duration of support. Jonathan welcomes this change in rhetoric, seeing it as a positive sign that allies are willing to provide more substantial aid to ensure a swift Ukrainian victory.
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Slovakia: Presidential election poses risk of pro-Russian shift with Fico's potential influence
🎦 07:51-08:47⏩
Jonathan shifts focus to the Slovakian presidential election, where pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico poses a potential threat to the country's pro-Western stance. Jonathan notes the current pro-Western president is being challenged, and if Fico's backed candidate, Peter Pellegrini, were to win, it could concentrate power in the hands of pro-Russian figures, similar to Viktor Orban's influence in Hungary. Jonathan highlights the importance of the opposition candidate, Ivan Korcok's success to maintain Slovakia's alignment with the EU and Western allies.
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Serbia: Vucic convenes security council meeting; concerns arise about targeting of Russian opposition in Serbia
🎦 08:47-09:17⏩
Jonathan reports that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has called a National Security Council meeting following the terrorist attack in Russia. Jonathan expresses concern that this could be used as a pretext to target and silence Russian opposition figures in Serbia, citing concerns raised by Ivana Stradina. This, he suggests, is indicative of a worrying trend in the region, with potential for further collaboration between Serbian and Russian intelligence agencies.
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US: Marjorie Taylor Greene's motion to vacate Speaker Johnson faces opposition
🎦 09:17-11:43⏩
Jonathan transitions to US politics, where Marjorie Taylor Greene's motion to vacate Speaker Mike Johnson's position faces criticism and opposition from both Democrats and Republicans. Jonathan notes that several GOP members, including Carlos Jimenez, Clay Higgins, and Mike Collins, have voiced their opposition to the motion, praising Johnson's leadership. Even Democrats, such as Jared Moskovich and Tom Suozzi, oppose the motion, with Moskovich stating he will "never stand by and let Marjorie Taylor Greene take over the People's House." Jonathan believes that this motion is unlikely to succeed, but highlights the divisions within the Republican party and the influence of Donald Trump.
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US: Johnson's stance on Ukraine aid and the influence of MAGA Republicans
🎦 11:43-13:53⏩
Jonathan analyses the implications of the political situation for Ukraine aid. He suggests that Speaker Johnson's stance on aid is influenced by pressure from the MAGA wing of the Republican Party, particularly figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Donald Trump. Jonathan posits that Johnson may be reluctant to push through a Ukraine aid package for fear of losing his speakership or damaging his relationship with Trump. However, he speculates that the pushback against Greene's motion could empower more moderate Republicans to pursue a bipartisan approach to aiding Ukraine. Jonathan highlights the concerning trend of MAGA hijacking the Republican Party and the departure of moderate voices. He expresses concern that this could hinder bipartisan support for Ukraine.
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US: Democrats offer conditional support for Johnson in exchange for Ukraine aid vote
🎦 13:53-16:45⏩
Jonathan reports that several House Democrats have indicated they would vote against Marjorie Taylor Greene's motion to vacate Speaker Johnson if he agrees to put a Ukraine aid package to a vote. However, Jonathan remains cautious, believing that Johnson will still face pressure from Trump and the MAGA faction within the Republican Party. He observes that the Republicans' slim majority in the House has shrunk even further with the announced early resignation of moderate Republican Mike Gallagher. This, he suggests, will empower Democrats and could potentially lead to a Ukraine aid bill being passed. Jonathan concludes by raising concerns about the long-term ramifications of MAGA's influence on the Republican Party. He questions whether a party dominated by Trump's ideology can maintain broad appeal and win elections. He expresses uncertainty about the future of US politics but reiterates the significant impact these developments will have on Ukraine's prospects of receiving much-needed aid.
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Wrap Up
🎦 16:45-16:53⏩
Jonathan wraps up the video by inviting viewers to share their thoughts in the comments. He acknowledges the relatively light news day and signs off cheerfully.
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