Ukraine War Update NEWS: Geopolitics News
Table of Contents 📖
"The post-World War II era of American-led protection of Europe is at stake."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:19⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to the third part of his Ukraine War and geopolitical news update - he notes that things have been a bit much and that he's in need of a pint.
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Tucker Carlson's Zelensky Interview
🎦 00:19-01:16⏩
Jonathan reports that Tucker Carlson claimed he had secured an interview with Zelensky. However this was refuted by Zelensky's office, who said Carlson should check his sources.
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Putin's Claims about the Failed Kyiv Advance
🎦 01:16-02:11⏩
Putin has claimed that Russia failed to take Kyiv because they were "deceived" - claiming that Russia agreed to a Western-backed ceasefire but that Ukraine did not. Jonathan notes that this is clearly nonsense and says it serves two purposes: to explain away the failure to the Russian population and to justify why Russia will not agree to a ceasefire now.
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Former Ukrainian Commander to Become UK Ambassador
🎦 02:11-02:25⏩
Former Ukrainian commander-in-chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, is to become Ukraine's ambassador to the UK.
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Slovakia to Increase Electricity Supply to Ukraine
🎦 02:25-02:47⏩
Slovakia is increasing its electricity supply to Ukraine over the autumn and winter. Ukrainian energy infrastructure has been heavily targeted by Russia. Jonathan believes energy security is Ukraine's biggest issue.
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Ransomware Used as Smokescreen by State Actors
🎦 02:47-03:39⏩
Jonathan discusses reports that state-backed cyber espionage groups are using ransomware to cover their tracks. Jonathan highlights the recent example of the ransomware attack on an NHS-outsourced company, widely suspected but not proven to be Russia.
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China and Russia Increase Influence in Central America
🎦 03:39-05:13⏩
Jonathan reports that China and Russia are increasing their influence in Central America, while the US electorate is paralysed by disinformation. The White House has previously warned about this. Nicaragua, now led by a pro-Russia, pro-China dictatorship, has assumed the presidency of the Central American Integration System (SICA) and plans to expel Taiwan as a permanent observer, and replace them with Russia.
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US Political Situation
🎦 05:13-18:31⏩
Jonathan expresses his concern that one side of the US political system seems to be acting in Russia’s favour. He then discusses Biden’s recent debate performance which has raised doubts about whether he is fit to run for President in 2024. Jonathan plays a clip from a discussion between commentators Anthony Scaramucci and Katy Kay where they discuss three options for the Democratic Party. Option 1 is that Biden stays in the race. However, a number of high profile Democrats have called for him to stand aside, including two House lawmakers and a Netflix co-founder. Option 2 is that Biden stands aside and his vice-president Kamala Harris becomes the Democratic nominee. Some have questioned Harris’ ability, however she is a former lawyer who performed well in televised hearings and debates. Option 3 is an open Democratic National Convention, which would likely be chaotic. Jonathan believes Biden will be forced to stand aside but that it is now quite late in the day for the Democrats to choose another candidate.
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Belarus Joins Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
🎦 05:31-06:29⏩
Jonathan reports that Belarus has joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Putin has also been praising the Taliban, with whom Russia now enjoys a close partnership. Jonathan despairs that the West, particularly the US, appears to be turning inwards just as this new axis of power is forming.
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China Building Spy Base in Cuba
🎦 06:29-06:53⏩
CSIS has released imagery of a signals facility in Cuba, believed to be a Chinese spy base just miles from US Southern Command.
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Russian Athletes to Compete in Paris Olympics
🎦 06:53-07:26⏩
At least nine of the 33 supposedly ‘neutral’ Russian athletes permitted to compete at the Paris Olympics have either visited occupied Crimea, taken part in propaganda events, or publicly supported the war in Ukraine.
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Zelensky Interview with Bloomberg
🎦 07:26-07:47⏩
In an interview with Bloomberg, Zelensky stated that Hungary supports Ukraine’s ambition to join the EU.
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Brexit
🎦 18:39-20:42⏩
Jonathan notes that the EU is shifting to the right. Former head of MI6, Sir Alex Younger has said that Putin and Xi Jinping would have been delighted by Brexit. Younger stated that since he left office he had travelled widely in Europe, and that the UK is no longer mentioned when it comes to discussions about major issues; France has eclipsed the UK. Younger believes this was the intention all along - to marginalise the UK, and that the UK is weaker apart from the EU, playing into the hands of Putin and Xi.
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UK Local Elections and Sign Off
🎦 20:42-21:46⏩
Jonathan notes that the UK local elections are taking place and that a Labour landslide is expected - the question is how much will Labour win by. He states that he is planning to do a live stream at 11:30pm UK time to discuss the results. He had planned to record a segment on the UK elections but then remembered that he’s bound by perda - the UK’s election reporting rules. He ends by telling viewers he is off to vote.
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