Ukraine War Update BUMPER NEWS: Geopolitical News

"I am not happy. A measure to extend funding for the centre was stripped out of the final version of the bipartisan federal spending bill that passed through the US Congress last week. It was stripped out. Funding for this was stripped out."

Hello Team

🎦 00:00-00:10⏩
Jonathan introduces the video as the second part of the Ukraine War News Update for 26th December 2024. He mentions there is a lot to cover due to Christmas and the large volume of geopolitical news related to Ukraine.

Return to top⤴️

Protests in Georgia

🎦 00:10-01:54⏩
Jonathan discusses the ongoing protests in Georgia against the "Georgia Dream" party, which is accused of rigging the election. He highlights a post asking where the supporters of Georgia Dream are, given the large crowds protesting against them. Jonathan notes that 90% of Georgians want to be part of the EU and not under Russian rule. He criticizes the lack of reporting on the situation and stresses the importance of supporting Georgia to prevent rigged elections and autocracy.

Return to top⤴️

Georgia's Desire for Independence

🎦 01:54-04:53⏩
Jonathan shares a post from Christmas Day highlighting the desire of Georgians, Moldovans, and other Eastern European nations for independence from Russia. He quotes Peter Savodnik, who argues that these countries do not want to be under Moscow's control and that playing nice with authoritarians like those in Moscow or Beijing is ineffective. Savodnik suspects that right-wing sentiments in the US are tied to a perception that the American project is rotten and that organic pro-Western movements are being manipulated by external forces like Soros or the CIA. Jonathan references a previous discussion on the Piers Morgan show where a Ukrainian woman refuted claims of Euromaidan being a manipulated uprising.

Return to top⤴️

AFD's Disinformation Campaign

🎦 04:53-07:51⏩
Jonathan discusses how the right-wing German party, Alternative for Deutschland (AFD), is using the incident of a Saudi ex-Muslim mowing down people at a Christmas market for political gain. AFD leader Alice Weidel blamed the act on an Islamist, despite evidence suggesting the suspect was an ex-Muslim AFD supporter. Jonathan highlights the disinformation being spread by AFD supporters, Tommy Robinson, and Elon Musk, and notes that the AFD is campaigning on the back of this misinformation.

Return to top⤴️

Thailand Joins BRICS

🎦 07:51-08:30⏩
Jonathan reports that Thailand has accepted Russia's invitation to join BRICS. A Thai foreign ministry spokesperson stated that membership would benefit Thailand by promoting trade, investment, and food and energy security. Jonathan reiterates his concern that the long-term growth of BRICS could pose a significant challenge to US hegemony if left unchecked.

Return to top⤴️

Iran and Russia's Strategic Partnership

🎦 08:30-09:10⏩
Jonathan discusses reports that Iran and Russia may sign a new strategic partnership treaty before Trump's inauguration. This agreement would replace a 2002 pact and focus on energy, transport, and agriculture. Jonathan expresses concern about the strengthening relationships within this "axis of evil" and the potential long-term implications of these alliances.

Return to top⤴️

Apple Removes Apps in Russia

🎦 09:10-10:13⏩
Jonathan covers Apple's explanation for removing independent media apps from the App Store in Russia. Apple stated they are complying with Russian legislation to maintain the App Store's availability in the country. The US government encourages companies to keep communication services available to the Russian population to support democratic principles. Jonathan interprets this as Apple doing Russia's bidding to continue operating in the country, which he finds highly controversial.

Return to top⤴️

US Company Fined for Shipping Products to Russia

🎦 10:13-10:25⏩
Jonathan reports that US tech company Integra Technologies Inc. was fined £3.3 million for shipping transistors and related products to Russia, which could be used in the war with Ukraine. He sees this as positive news, indicating that the US is enforcing rules against those who break sanctions.

Return to top⤴️

Estonia's Security Concerns

🎦 10:25-12:28⏩
Jonathan discusses Estonia's fears of becoming a target of Russian aggression, as reported by Politico. Anton Gerashchenko highlights concerns that Russia might try to seize eastern Estonia, citing the region's Russian-speaking population, similar to its actions in Georgia and Ukraine. Estonia is investing heavily in defence but worries about NATO's preparedness to respond to Russian aggression. The country is strengthening its border security, including deploying new surveillance technology, but faces challenges like GPS signal jamming by Russia.

Return to top⤴️

Putin on Ending the Russia-Ukraine War

🎦 12:28-14:43⏩
Jonathan discusses Putin's response to a question about the possibility of ending the Russia-Ukraine war in 2025. Putin stated that he was told by Biden in 2021 to postpone Ukraine's admission to NATO for 10-15 years. Putin questioned the difference it would make to Russia whether Ukraine joined NATO now or in the future. Jonathan finds it perplexing why anyone aligned with Ukraine's sovereignty would oppose Ukraine joining NATO if both parties desire it.

Return to top⤴️

Declining Support for Ukraine in Western Europe

🎦 14:43-15:17⏩
Jonathan reports on a YouGov poll showing a sharp decline in Western European support for Ukraine until it wins. In Italy, 55% of respondents favour a negotiated end to the war, with similar figures in Spain (46%), France (43%), and Germany (45%). While support for Ukraine's victory remains relatively high in Sweden, Denmark, and the UK, it is slipping. Jonathan expresses concern over the increasing desire for a negotiated agreement, regardless of the potential consequences for Ukraine.

Return to top⤴️

Finnish Response to Undersea Cable Sabotage

🎦 15:17-19:11⏩
Jonathan discusses the Finnish response to the sabotage of undersea cables between Estonia and Finland. Finnish police held a press conference on Christmas Day, indicating the seriousness of the situation. They have boarded the Russian shadow fleet tanker Eagle S, which was crossing the cable at the time of the damage. Finnish President Alex Stubb and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo have both indicated that more needs to be done to rein in Russia's shadow fleet. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation believes the damage was likely caused by the Eagle S's anchor. The Finnish Coast Guard has taken command of the vessel and sailed it to Finnish waters. Jonathan praises Finland's strong reaction, contrasting it with Sweden's response to a similar incident.

Return to top⤴️

Azerbaijani Airlines Plane Crash

🎦 19:11-21:56⏩
Jonathan discusses the crash of an Azerbaijani Airlines plane in Kazakhstan. Sources suggest the plane was hit by a Russian surface-to-air missile fired during a drone attack on Grozny. Russian forces were actively engaging Ukrainian drones at the time. The pilots requested an emergency landing but were denied permission by Russia. They then tried to fly to Kazakhstan but had their GPS jammed by Russia over the Caspian Sea. The crash killed 38 people, while 29 survived. Jonathan highlights the similarity to the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 by a Russian-made missile. He notes the potential significance of this incident for Azerbaijan-Russia relations and reports that Israel's El Al has suspended flights to Moscow due to developments in Russia's airspace.

Return to top⤴️

US Republicans Blaming Ukraine for Plane Crash

🎦 21:56-24:45⏩
Jonathan criticises US Republicans for blaming Ukraine for the plane crash and pushing for an end to the war by giving Putin everything he wants. He shares a clip of Representative Ryan Zinke suggesting that Ukraine pledging not to join NATO and handing over Crimea to Russia would be a good start for negotiations. Jonathan is outraged by this stance, arguing that it gives Russia all the leverage and leaves Ukraine with nothing. He questions whose side these politicians are on and accuses them of acting in Russia's interests.

Return to top⤴️

Jonathan's Rant Against Pro-Russia Politicians

🎦 24:45-27:09⏩
Jonathan expresses his frustration with American politicians, particularly Republicans, who make statements that benefit Russia. He criticises them for not being on Ukraine's side and suggests they should admit if they are being paid by Russia. He emphasizes his fatigue with politicians who consistently act in Russia's favour and calls for greater accountability.

Return to top⤴️

Trump's Lies and Political Accountability

🎦 27:09-28:13⏩
Jonathan discusses Trump's claim that he will end the war in Ukraine on his first day as president, or even before his inauguration. He argues that either Trump's statements should be taken seriously, or he should be considered a joke. Jonathan rejects the notion that politicians' lies should be normalised and asserts that the public should not accept or excuse such behaviour. He believes that presidents, especially of powerful countries, should not lie to their electorate or the world.

Return to top⤴️

Criticism of Ryan Zinke

🎦 28:13-29:44⏩
Jonathan shares Adam Kinzinger's criticism of Ryan Zinke for suggesting Ukraine should not join NATO and should hand over Crimea to Russia. Kinzinger states that Zinke is acting out of a desire for power and that history will judge such people with scorn. Jonathan highlights the problematic omissions in a statement by Trump's peace envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, who failed to mention Russia or criticise Putin for the Christmas Day attacks on Ukraine. He emphasizes the importance of words and how they reveal underlying intentions, concluding that Kellogg is being careful not to criticise Russia overtly.

Return to top⤴️

Trump's Christmas Message

🎦 29:44-32:54⏩
Jonathan discusses Trump's Christmas message, which failed to mention Jesus, forgiveness, peace, or joy. Instead, Trump threatened Panama, China, Canada, and Greenland, and rambled about himself and his grievances. Jonathan reads excerpts from the message, highlighting Trump's bizarre statements about the Panama Canal, Canada, and Greenland, as well as his attacks on "radical left lunatics." He concludes the message with "Merry Christmas, go to hell," which Jonathan finds appalling and un-Christian. Jonathan expresses disbelief at the contrast between Trump's actions and the Christian values he supposedly represents.

Return to top⤴️

Reactions to Trump's Christmas Message

🎦 32:54-34:47⏩
Jonathan shares reactions to Trump's Christmas message, including Tim White's comment that one must be mentally challenged or a foreign agent to openly assault and threaten three important allies. Eric Trump's tweet about "buying" Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal is also highlighted. Jonathan notes that the Danish government announced a £1.5 billion boost in defence spending for Greenland hours after Trump repeated his desire to purchase the Arctic territory, describing the timing as ironic.

Return to top⤴️

Elon Musk and US Oligarchy

🎦 34:47-38:08⏩
Jonathan discusses Elon Musk's involvement in US politics and his status as an unelected oligarch. He highlights a retweet by Musk of a post by Republican Senator Mike Lee about dethroning America's bureaucratic oligarchs, pointing out the irony of the richest man in history retweeting such a message. Jonathan then connects Trump's comments about Panama, Greenland, and Canada to potential Russian interests, suggesting that Trump's statements might be influenced by personal or external agendas. He also mentions rumours that Panama is seeking unpaid taxes from Trump, which could be a reason for his targeting of the country.

Return to top⤴️

Wealth Disparity and US Oligarchy

🎦 38:08-40:10⏩
Jonathan discusses the growing wealth disparity in the US, highlighting the massive increase in wealth for billionaires like Musk, Bezos, and Zuckerberg, while the federal minimum wage has remained stagnant. He points out that corporations and individuals are lining up to donate to Trump's inauguration fund, contributing to the oligarchy. Jonathan criticises Musk for saying that people don't need school and for being anti-education and anti-working class. He also mentions Musk's contradictory stance on immigration, where he claims a shortage of talented engineers in America to justify hiring immigrants while simultaneously advocating for the deportation of other types of workers.

Return to top⤴️

Biden's Economic Performance

🎦 40:10-42:33⏩
Jonathan contrasts the negative narratives around Biden's economy with the actual statistics, which show that under Biden, workers have both the highest real inflation-adjusted hourly wage and the lowest unemployment rate among the last 11 presidents. He mentions that over 60,000 projects are underway thanks to Biden's infrastructure law, indicating a manufacturing boom and job growth. Jonathan speculates that Trump might either take credit for these positive developments or ruin them by starting a trade war.

Return to top⤴️

US Business Leaders and Trump's Inaugural Fund

🎦 42:33-43:19⏩
Jonathan reports that US business leaders are set to break records on donations to Trump's inaugural fund, which is not subject to campaign finance regulations. He highlights the irony of wealthy oligarchs and corporations lining the pocket of the government, suggesting a quid pro quo arrangement. Jonathan finds it mind-boggling that such blatant corruption is happening in plain sight.

Return to top⤴️

Elon Musk and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

🎦 43:19-43:53⏩
Jonathan discusses Elon Musk's desire to eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which has returned over £19 billion to people scammed by financial institutions. He criticises Musk for wanting to remove a regulatory body that protects consumers, suggesting that Musk's goal is to allow financial institutions to operate without oversight.

Return to top⤴️

US Agency on Foreign Disinformation Shuts Down

🎦 43:53-47:14⏩
Jonathan reports on the shutdown of the Global Engagement Centre (GEC), a US agency dedicated to tracking and exposing Russian and Chinese propaganda. The GEC was defunded by Congress, leaving the State Department without a dedicated office for countering disinformation. Jonathan expresses deep concern over this development, especially at a time when disinformation is a major threat. He notes that the GEC faced scrutiny from Republican lawmakers and Elon Musk, who accused it of censorship. Jonathan emphasizes the seriousness of this situation and the importance of combating foreign propaganda.

Return to top⤴️

Disinformation and Sock Puppet Accounts

🎦 47:14-48:39⏩
Jonathan provides an example of disinformation through a sock puppet account incident involving someone named John Welsh, who claimed to be a former police officer from Lancaster University. Welsh, seemingly forgetting to switch accounts, made pro-Russian comments, revealing the account's likely connection to Russian disinformation efforts. Jonathan highlights the irony of the situation, given the recent defunding of the US agency tasked with combating such disinformation.

Return to top⤴️

Elon Musk Attacks Wikipedia

🎦 48:39-50:09⏩
Jonathan discusses Elon Musk's attacks on Wikipedia and his attempts to buy the platform, which Jonathan believes is an effort to turn it into a Kremlin propaganda machine. He shares reports of Musk criticising Wikipedia and urging his followers not to donate, as well as Musk's offer to purchase the platform. Jonathan sees this as a dangerous attempt to control information and hinder the public's ability to verify facts. He urges people to donate to Wikipedia to prevent it from being taken over by a far-right oligarch.

Return to top⤴️

Potential Sanctions on Russian Oil Exports

🎦 50:09-50:36⏩
Jonathan mentions that Biden is preparing to impose significant sanctions on Russian oil exports, which could be highly punitive. He shares a tongue-in-cheek comment that the sanctions might be so severe that Putin may have to lay off a dozen Republican congressmen, highlighting the perceived influence of Russian interests on some US politicians.

Return to top⤴️

Lex Fridman, Zelensky, and Russian Influence

🎦 50:36-58:20⏩
Jonathan discusses Lex Fridman's offer to interview Zelensky and the subsequent controversy over Fridman's request to conduct the interview in Russian. Jonathan outlines a theory that Fridman's actions are part of a Russian psyop to paint Zelensky as unreasonable and to promote a pro-Russian narrative. He questions whether Fridman is motivated by money or compromise and compares his actions to those of Tucker Carlson. Jonathan highlights a clip where Fridman allows Carlson to spread misinformation about Navalny's death without pushing back, suggesting that Fridman is platforming pro-Russian talking points. He also mentions reports of Fridman blocking people who question him about unreleased interviews conducted in Ukraine in 2022.

Return to top⤴️

Wrap up

🎦 58:20-59:14⏩
Jonathan concludes the video by expressing uncertainty about Lex Fridman's true intentions but suggests that Fridman's actions indicate he is not pro-Ukrainian or objective. He summarises the main points of the video, mentioning that it covered multiple days' worth of information. He thanks the viewers and says he will be back soon with another update.

Return to top⤴️