How The Russia-Ukraine War Will End

First Thought
7 Jun 202416:36

Summary

TLDRThe video discusses the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, highlighting Russia's invasion and the West's response. It details the initial Western support for Ukraine, including military aid and economic assistance, but notes a decline in enthusiasm and consistent support after October 7th, 2023. The script outlines Ukraine's military challenges, including personnel shortages and infrastructure damage, and suggests that the West may be considering a negotiated settlement, potentially leading to territorial concessions to Russia.

Takeaways

  • 🇺🇦 The war in Ukraine has persisted for nearly two years, with the northeast region being heavily targeted by Russian forces.
  • 🔥 Despite initial predictions of a quick Russian victory, Ukraine has managed to resist and push back Russian forces in many areas.
  • 🔄 The conflict has deep historical roots, dating back to the early 1990s and the expansion of NATO, which has been a point of contention.
  • 🌐 The West, led by the US, has provided significant military and financial aid to Ukraine, but this support has been inconsistent and sometimes delayed.
  • 📉 Western support for Ukraine began to wane after October 7th, 2023, with aid becoming less consistent and raising doubts about Ukraine's chances of total victory.
  • 🚨 Ukraine has faced significant military setbacks, including shortages of personnel and ammunition, and has struggled to counter Russian advances.
  • 💥 The war has taken a heavy toll on Ukraine's infrastructure, with energy facilities being targeted, leading to widespread power outages.
  • 📉 The Ukrainian economy has been severely impacted by the war, further complicating its ability to sustain the conflict.
  • 🤝 There have been discussions about potential French military involvement in Ukraine, but it's unclear how this would affect NATO's response.
  • 🏳️‍🌈 The situation suggests that Ukraine may have to negotiate a settlement that concedes some territory to Russia, indicating a decline in Western influence.

Q & A

  • What was the initial Western prediction regarding the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022?

    -The initial Western prediction was that Ukraine would fall within just a few weeks due to Russia's overwhelming numbers and superior firepower.

  • What was the surprising outcome for Ukraine after the initial invasion by Russia in 2022?

    -Contrary to initial predictions, Ukraine not only survived the initial onslaught but also pushed most Russian forces back to their own borders, except in the Donbas region.

  • What was the role of NATO in the early stages of the conflict in Ukraine?

    -NATO played a significant role by admitting nations from Central and Eastern Europe, increasing its presence in Eastern Europe, and providing military and financial aid to Ukraine.

  • Why did the US increase its intelligence sharing and consultations with allies in late 2021?

    -The US increased its intelligence sharing and consultations with allies due to reports of significant Russian military buildups near Ukraine's border, which were seen as potential signs of an invasion.

  • What was the total figure of congressionally approved aid for Ukraine since February 2022 mentioned in the script?

    -The total figure of congressionally approved aid for Ukraine since February 2022 is around 175 billion.

  • What has been the impact of Western support on Ukraine's ability to resist the Russian invasion?

    -Western support, while substantial, has been inconsistent, with key military aid arriving late or not at all, leading to Ukrainian military setbacks and a struggle to counter Russian advances effectively.

  • What challenges has Ukraine faced in terms of personnel and military resources?

    -Ukraine has faced severe shortages of personnel and military resources, including ammunition and equipment, which has been exacerbated by the need for extensive Western military assistance to train new recruits.

  • How has Russia's targeting of Ukraine's energy infrastructure impacted the country's war effort?

    -Russia's targeting of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has led to widespread power outages, straining Ukraine's military logistics and overall war effort, as well as disrupting civilian life.

  • What are the potential scenarios for French troop deployment in Ukraine mentioned in the script?

    -The potential scenarios include defending strategic locations like Odessa and establishing safe zones along Ukraine's border with Belarus to deter further Russian advances.

  • Why might the deployment of French troops in Ukraine not automatically trigger NATO's Article 5?

    -The deployment of French troops in Ukraine without NATO's collective decision would not automatically trigger Article 5 because it requires a consensus among NATO members, and given the divided political stances, achieving such consensus is unlikely.

  • What does the script suggest about the future of the conflict in Ukraine and Western support?

    -The script suggests that Ukraine's prospects in the conflict are not looking good, and it appears that the West might be willing to negotiate a settlement that involves ceding territory to Russia, indicating a decline in Western hegemonic power and inconsistent support.

Outlines

00:00

🇺🇦 War in Ukraine: The Onslaught and Western Response

The paragraph discusses the ongoing war in Ukraine, highlighting the initial invasion by Russia on February 24, 2022, and the strategic targets such as Kiev and power plants. It mentions the surprise resilience of Ukraine against the invasion, pushing back Russian forces except in Donbas. The paragraph also covers the support from the West, particularly the US, in terms of military aid and intelligence sharing. It introduces the sponsor 'Aura' for data privacy and mentions the historical context of NATO's eastward expansion, which is cited by Russia as a reason for the conflict.

05:00

🔍 Skepticism and Western Military Aid

This section details the skepticism towards Russia's military buildup near Ukraine's border and the US's track record of questionable intelligence. It discusses the US's military escalation in Eastern Europe and the substantial military aid provided to Ukraine, including anti-aircraft systems, ammunition, and various weaponry. The paragraph also touches on the economic assistance from Western governments and institutions like the World Bank. However, it points out the fading enthusiasm and delays in aid from the West, raising doubts about Ukraine's chances for total victory.

10:01

🚨 Ukraine's Military Struggles and Draft Law

The paragraph focuses on Ukraine's military challenges, including territorial losses and shortages in personnel and ammunition. It describes the intense battles in the Donetsk region and the impact of Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The paragraph also discusses the new draft law passed in April 2024, which aims to increase the pool of military service-eligible men, extend service terms, and increase compensation for volunteers. This has been met with public opposition due to concerns over indefinite service and psychological impacts.

15:02

🏰 French Troop Deployment and Western Hegemony's Decline

This section explores potential scenarios for the deployment of French troops to Ukraine, including defensive strategies and the establishment of safe zones. It addresses the question of whether an attack on French troops would trigger NATO's Article 5 and explains why it would not automatically do so. The paragraph concludes by reflecting on the decline of Western influence, the inconsistency of Western support for Ukraine, and the likelihood of negotiated territorial concessions to Russia.

🌐 The Waning Western Support and Economic Toll

The final paragraph discusses the diminishing support from the West, particularly after October 7th, 2023, and the economic and infrastructure challenges faced by Ukraine. It highlights the crumbling Ukrainian defenses, the impact on civilian life due to power outages, and the West's empty promises of support. The paragraph ends with a call to support the channel through Patreon, emphasizing the need for continued backing despite the bleak outlook.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Tactical Drills

Tactical drills refer to the practice exercises conducted by military forces to hone their skills in various combat scenarios. In the context of the video, it is mentioned that Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to begin tactical drills, which is a term that implies a level of preparedness and strategy in military operations. This is significant as it sets the stage for the discussion about the military conflict in Ukraine.

💡Full-Scale Offensive

A full-scale offensive is a comprehensive military action aimed at achieving a strategic goal through the use of all available resources. The video describes Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, as a full-scale offensive, indicating the scale and intensity of the military action that was launched, which is central to understanding the severity of the conflict.

💡Missile Salvos

Missile salvos are coordinated barrages of missiles fired towards a target. The script mentions that strategic areas in Ukraine were attacked with missile salvos, emphasizing the heavy firepower and military strategy employed by Russia at the onset of the invasion, which had a significant impact on the infrastructure and military capabilities of Ukraine.

💡Separatist Groups

Separatist groups are organizations that seek to secede from a larger political entity to form an independent state. The video discusses the presence of Russian-aligned separatist groups in the Donbas region of Ukraine, which have played a significant role in the ongoing conflict. These groups are proxies in the larger geopolitical struggle and are instrumental in the narrative of the war.

💡Overwhelming Numbers and Firepower

This phrase describes a military force that has a significantly larger number of troops and superior weaponry compared to its adversary. The video uses this term to explain the initial predictions of a swift Russian victory over Ukraine, highlighting the disparity in military strength that was expected to determine the outcome of the conflict.

💡NATO Expansion

NATO expansion refers to the process of including new member countries into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The script discusses the historical context of NATO's eastward expansion as a contributing factor to the tensions that led to the conflict in Ukraine. This is a key geopolitical concept that underpins the strategic interests and actions of both Russia and the Western alliance.

💡Sanctions

Sanctions are measures imposed on a country to coerce it to change its behavior, typically by restricting trade or other interactions. The video mentions sanctions as a tool used by Western countries against Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine. Sanctions are a significant aspect of the economic warfare that accompanies the military conflict and are part of the broader strategy to pressure Russia.

💡Ammunition Shortages

Ammunition shortages refer to a lack of sufficient munitions for military operations. The script highlights the issue of ammunition shortages faced by Ukraine, which directly impacts their ability to resist Russian advances. This term is critical in understanding the logistical challenges and the impact on the battlefield for Ukraine.

💡Energy Infrastructure

Energy infrastructure encompasses the facilities and systems that supply power to a country, such as power plants and the grid. The video describes how Russian missile and drone strikes targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages. This is a strategic military tactic aimed at crippling the opponent's ability to function both militarily and civilian-wise, and it is a significant factor in the war's impact on Ukraine's society and military capabilities.

💡Conscription

Conscription is the mandatory enlistment of people into military service. The video discusses a new draft law in Ukraine that mandates all eligible men to register for military service, removing defined service terms and increasing compensation for volunteers. This measure reflects the desperation and the need for more soldiers to counter the Russian forces, and it is a significant development in the ongoing conflict.

💡Article 5

Article 5 of the NATO treaty states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all members, which commits them to a collective response. The video raises the hypothetical scenario of French troops being deployed to Ukraine and whether their engagement would trigger Article 5. This is a critical concept in understanding the potential for escalation and the collective defense mechanisms within NATO.

Highlights

After nearly 2 years of war, the northeast of Ukraine is heavily targeted by Russian forces.

Vladimir Putin orders tactical drills as the conflict escalates to dangerous new levels.

Russia invades Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, with a full-scale offensive.

Ukraine surprisingly pushes back Russian forces, contrary to initial predictions of a quick defeat.

Ukraine's military successes include sinking major Russian naval ships and hitting targets inside Russia.

Despite initial success, Ukraine faces ongoing military defeats and shortages of supplies.

The United States and other Western nations provide significant military and financial aid to Ukraine.

Western support for Ukraine begins to falter after October 7th, 2023, with delays and reversals in aid pledges.

The European Union falls short on delivering promised shells, reflecting a lack of consistent aid.

Ukraine faces severe personnel shortages and struggles to maintain its defenses against Russian advances.

Russian missile and drone strikes target Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages.

Ukraine passes a new draft law in April 2024 to increase military conscription and address personnel shortages.

The West's support for Ukraine is inconsistent, with key military aid arriving late or not at all.

Ukraine's chances of overcoming Russia's advances appear slim due to faltering Western support and military setbacks.

The decline of Western hegemonic power is marked by the potential loss in the Ukraine conflict.

The West may have to negotiate a settlement that concedes territory to Russia, indicating a shift from initial promises of total victory.

Transcripts

play00:14

[Music]

play00:17

after nearly 2 years of war in Ukraine

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the northeast of Ukraine is being

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pounded by Russian missiles and bombs

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dangerous new levels as Vladimir Putin

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orders Russian troops to begin tactical

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new

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[Music]

play00:33

drills February 24th 2022 Russia invades

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Ukraine by launching a full-scale

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offensive strategically important areas

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such as keev power plants and other

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major infrastructure are attacked with

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missile salvos infantry pours in from

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the north east and south including

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amphibious Landings in the critical port

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cities of Odessa and maripo Russia's

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overwhelming numbers and Superior

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Firepower LED most observers to predict

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that Ukraine would fall within just a

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few weeks

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however much to everyone's surprise

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Ukraine not only survived the initial

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Onslaught they pushed most Russian

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forces back to their own borders except

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in the donbas where the two strongest

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Russian Allied separatist groups operate

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despite this initial success and notable

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instances of Ukraine achieving gains

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thought impossible such as sinking

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several major Russian naval ships and

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hitting targets inside Russia Ukraine

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has been on the back foot suffering

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military defeats shortages of critical

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supplies and Munitions political

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instability and the increasingly falter

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ing United States is Ukraine on the

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verge of defeat but before we answer

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that question I'd like to take a quick

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moment to thank our Channel sponsor AA

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signing up today at the link below

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first some history and clarification

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this war didn't start in February of

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2022 it began in the early 1990s during

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negotiations over the reunification of

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Germany when US Secretary of State James

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Baker and German Chancellor Helmont Cole

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promised Soviet president M gorbachov

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that NATO would not expand eastwards

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these discussions were revealed through

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Declassified documents and part of a

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broader diplomatic effort to integrate a

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unified Germany into NATO without

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exacerbating reasonable Soviet security

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concerns however these assurances were

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never codified by formal agreements of

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any kind which allowed the US to ignore

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their promise entirely in the late 1990s

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and early 2000s NATO began to admit

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nations from Central and Eastern Europe

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and now encompasses nearly all of the

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former Eastern block except bellus

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Ukraine and Georgia though not for lack

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of trying fast forward to 2014 in

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Ukraine after the orange Revolution the

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donbas region in eastern Ukraine

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characterized by a significant Russian

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speaking population and Industrial base

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perceived the outing of Russia friendly

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president Victor yanukovich as a direct

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threat to its economic and cultural

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interests the subsequent Russian

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annexation of Crimea in March 2014

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following a controversial referendum

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further raised tensions and set the

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stage for a violent conflict local

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actors in Donas including former members

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of the security forces aligned with

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Russian interest to oppose the new

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Ukrainian government Russia conducted

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overt and covert operations aimed at

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destabilizing Ukraine to prevent it

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joining NATO and their support for the

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separatist in donbas included military

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equipment and strategic guidance

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Ukraine's response to the crisis only

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exacerbated the issue and the state's

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weakness evident in its inability to

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integrate diverse Regional interests

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particularly those of the East

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significantly worsened the

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conflict Ukraine began receiving

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warnings from the US about a Russian

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invasion in November of 2021 reports

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emerged of significant Russian military

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buildups near Ukraine's border which led

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the US to significantly increase its

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intelligent sharing and consultations

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with allies

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the NATO Secretary General asked Russia

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to clarify its military activities near

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Ukraine's border pointing to an abnormal

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concentration of approximately 90,000

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troops a number that Rose to roughly

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100,000 by early February in late

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January the US cautioned bis against

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supporting any Russian military

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initiatives since Bellis was hosting a

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separate large contingent of 127,000

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Russian troops for so-called military

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exercises despite these forboding signs

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of Al looming Invasion there remained

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understandable skepticism based on

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previous instances where similar Russian

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military buildup did not lead to open

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conflict to add to the confusion the US

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track record of lying about intelligence

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to further a policy agenda isn't great

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to put it lightly concurrent with all

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this the US escalated its own military

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presence in Eastern Europe by deploying

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an additional 1,000 troops and several

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fighter jets to enhance its air defenses

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in Romania and Poland aside from

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bolstering the defenses of neighboring

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NATO allies the US of course stepped in

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to supply Ukraine with the arms it

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needed to resist the invasion once it

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began we can't give you an exhaustive

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list of everything the US has pledged or

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sent to Ukraine but here's just a sample

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of what was included in the $800 million

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package from March 2022 800 Stinger

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anti-aircraft systems 2,000 Javelin and

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1,000 light anti-armor weapons over 20

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million rounds of small arms ammunition

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drones grenade launchers rifles pistols

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machine guns and shotguns body armor and

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helmets and Myriad other pieces of

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equipment another Security package worth

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250 million included high impact

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military equipment such as air defense

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systems artillery and anti-tank weapons

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but these packages worth over a billion

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dollars combined are just a drop in the

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bucket direct Aid aimed at assisting

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Ukraine tops $17 billion and the total

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figure of congressionally approved Aid

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since February 2022 is around 175

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billion non-military financial support

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has also been crucial with Western

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governments and international

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institutions like the World Bank

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providing significant economic

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assistance for example the World Bank

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committee $1 13 billion to stabilize

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Ukraine's economy and support

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reconstruction efforts however as with

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all such help it comes with the catch of

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Western neoliberal reforms and

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anti-corruption measures supposedly

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meant to address long-term economic

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challenges initial us support for

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Ukraine against Russian aggression

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emphasized quote the preservation of

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global democracy and a rules-based

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international order one major reason for

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the enthusiasm early in the war was

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Ukraine's significant progress in

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resisting Russian advances using Western

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military Aid suggesting this was a

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viable strategy for Western

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Powers unfortunately for Ukraine this

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overwhelming support would begin to fade

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on October 7th 2023 for some reason

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anyway since whatever happened on that

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date Western governments have displayed

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significant apprehension with numerous

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instances of delays and even reversals

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of Aid pledges reflecting serious

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uncertainty about Ukraine's prospects

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for total Victory a completely unified

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Ukraine Western Nations have struggled

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to maintain consistent aid for example

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the European Union promised to deliver 1

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million shells by March 2024 and fell

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short only delivering 30% of that the

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Biden regime went from indefinite

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support to suggesting that the US will

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provide assistance as long as we can and

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in a report titled scenarios on the

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Russian war in Ukraine for 2024 and 2025

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they outline scenarios where Western

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fatigue leads to a negotiated settlement

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with Western Partners pushing Ukraine

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towards a compromis due to a lack of

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visible military breakthrough Slovakia

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while advocating for Ukraine's EU

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membership and recently witnessing an

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attempted assassination of their prime

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minister has shown hesitance in fully

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supporting sanctions against Russia due

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to its dependence on Russian energy

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France has sent weapons to Ukraine but

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has been non-committal about an energy

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embargo and has kept the details of its

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military aid opaque Germany heavily

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reliant on Russian gas reversed its ban

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on weapons transfers but continues to

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avoid an eu-wide oil and gas embargo in

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a bid to safeguard future Aid Western

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allies are considering moving the us-led

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Ukraine defense contact group under NATO

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control to ensure a steady flow of arms

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irrespective of political changes within

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individual Nations to add to this

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uncertainty a severe lack of timely and

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adequate shipments of Weaponry have

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significantly impacted Ukraine's ability

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to counter Russian advances effectively

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crucial systems like F-16 fighter jets

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that were needed in 20123 will only

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become operational in 2024 by which time

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Ukrainian officials say Russia will have

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adapted its strategies to counter them

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Western failures such as the shortage of

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ammunition and delayed support have

play09:35

directly contributed to Ukrainian

play09:37

military setbacks Ukrainian military

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officials estimate that an additional

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quar million shells per month are needed

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just to keep Pace with Russian

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forces so overall Ukraine's prospects

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aren't looking good and the West is at

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risk of losing yet another War here are

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just a few of the problems they face the

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hotk region has been a recent focal

play10:00

point of Russian advances despite Fierce

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resistance Ukrainian forces have

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struggled to hold their positions

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notable Russian advances have occurred

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near crina and borova where Ukraine was

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unable to Halt the momentum of the

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Russian 20th combined arms Army and

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other units intense bombardments

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including a significant increase in

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Glide bomb strikes further crippled

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Ukrainian defenses in harak oblast the

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battle for bakut presents one of the

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most intense and costly for Ukrainian

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forces elements of the seventh

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reconnaissance and assault Brigade and

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the 331st vdv regiment have been

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particularly active in attempting to

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advance towards kinva Northeast of bakut

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the sustained Russian assaults have led

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to incremental territorial gains for

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Russia in the region Ukraine has also

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faced severe shortages of Personnel in

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the southern region Russian forces have

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advanced in doneto Blast capturing key

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positions West and Northwest of bakut

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including banka and parts of chuar a

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major defensive stronghold due to its

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elevation elements of the Russian 998th

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Airborne Division supported by the 11th

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separate vdv Brigade and 150th motorized

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rifle division have been particularly

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aggressive in their attacks near Ivanka

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and east of chuar the Ukrainian military

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has also faced severe shortages of

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personnel efforts to staff new units

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have been hampered by the need for

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extensive Western military assistance to

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train new recruits meanwhile there's

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strong pressure from Russian advances

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which necessitate continuous

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replenishment of Manpower and material

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something Ukraine just cannot balance at

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the moment to address this Ukraine

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passed a new draft law on April 11th

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2024 that aims to address the urgent

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need for more soldiers the new law

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mandates that all eligible men aged 18

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to 60 register for military service it

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removes defined service terms that is

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limiting service to a defined time

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period And it increases compensation for

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volunteers the law also includes

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Provisions allowing individuals with

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certain criminal convictions to serve

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and mandates local government and police

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support in the conscription process

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these changes have sparked significant

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public opposition due to concerns over

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indefinite duration of service human

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rights and the psychological iCal impact

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on conscripts and their families Russian

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missile and drone strikes have targeted

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Ukraine's energy infrastructure

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significantly disrupting the country's

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thermal power plants and leading to

play12:08

widespread power outages Russian forces

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have damaged or disrupted roughly 80% of

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electricity generation at these plants

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exploiting the degraded Ukrainian air

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defense umbrella to collapse the

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country's energy grid this has further

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strained Ukraine's military logistics

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and overall war effort as the energy

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Grid's degradation has compounded

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operational difficulties and disrupted

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civilian life all in all Ukraine's

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prospects don't look good it appears the

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West is willing to sell it for parts of

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peace and allow Russia to keep the land

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they took during their military

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operation so

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[Music]

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appeasement French president Emanuel

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macron has indicated the possibility of

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deploying French troops to Ukraine this

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potential deployment includes several

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scenarios aimed at bolstering Ukrainian

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defenses and deterring further Russian

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advances one scenario involves defending

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strategic locations like Odessa in the

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event of significant Russian advances a

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strong French contingent could be

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deployed to secure the Strategic Port

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City ensuring Ukraine's access to the

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Sea another scenario considers

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establishing safe zones along Ukraine's

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border with Bellis securing critical

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areas and freeing Ukrainian troops for

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combat operations in the East thus

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preventing new Russian offensives one

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question we should address is if Russian

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troops were to kill French troops in the

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Ukrainian theater of war would that

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automatically trigger Article 5

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thankfully no and the key word here is

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automatically first French troops

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deployed in Ukraine without NATO's

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collective decision would not

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automatically trigger Article 5 France

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would need to convince other NATO

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members that the attack constituted an

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attack on NATO itself second since

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Article 5 requires a consensus among

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NATO members each member would need to

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agree that the circumstances warrant a

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collective response and given the

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divided political stances within NATO

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achieving such consensus is unlikely

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especially for a deployment not

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officially sanctioned by NATO and third

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historically NATO has been cautious

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about direct military involvement in

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non-member countries to avoid escalation

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with Russia so even if French troops

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were attacked NATO might respond with

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non-military measures such as more

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sanctions rather than direct military

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retaliation Ukraine's plate and likely

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eventual loss in this war marks another

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chapter in the decline of Western

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hegemonic power despite some surprising

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victories early in the conflict

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Ukraine's chances of overcoming Russia's

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relent advances now appear slim the

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West's support while substantial has

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faltered key military aid arrives late

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or not at all and vital support systems

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are either inadequate or delayed leaving

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Ukraine to fend off a superior force

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with inferior dwindling resources while

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NATO's Eastward expansion despite

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assurances to the contrary sowed the

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seeds of this conflict we want to be

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clear that this does not justify

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Russia's Invasion it's simply the

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explanation given by Russia and it's our

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job to report that regardless the

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initial shock of Russia's invasion was

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met with global condemnation and a rush

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of military aid to Ukraine but as the

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conflict dragged on and successes became

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fewer and farther between enthusiasm

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began to wne this shift became starkly

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evident after October 7th 2023 when the

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West's Focus suddenly diverted for no

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conceivable reason causing Aid and

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support to Ukraine to become

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inconsistent meanwhile Ukrainian Ground

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Forces faced severe shortages of

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Manpower and ammunition compounded by

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Relentless Russian bombardments

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targeting critical infrastructure cities

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like har and regions in donet oblast

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have seen Fierce battles with Ukrainian

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defenses crumbling under sustained

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Russian pressure the war has also taken

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a toll on Ukraine's economy and civilian

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infrastructure leading to widespread

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power outages and further complicating

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their defense efforts the promises of

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unyielding support from the West the US

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in particular have proven empty as

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always with key allies showing

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reluctance to fully commit to Mere

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sanctions it's looking increasingly

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likely that Ukraine and the West will

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have to negotiate a set M that seeds

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territory to Russia only time will tell

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the specifics but what is now abundantly

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clear is that the United States Promises

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of total Victory will not come to

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fruition episodes like this one are made

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possible thanks to our generous patrons

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on patreon if you'd like to help support

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the show and get some great perks while

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you're at it consider becoming a patron

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perks include access to our Discord

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thanks for watching and we'll see you

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next time

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関連タグ
Ukraine WarRussian InvasionWestern SupportMilitary AidNATO StanceConflict AnalysisGeopolitical TensionsEconomic ImpactStrategic DefenseInternational Relations
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