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Hello, and welcome to the Intelbreth. Today's Monday, twenty four
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feb I'm your host Daniel, and today will be covering
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the results of the German election. Zelensky has offered to
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quit and return for NATO entry for Ukraine and European
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leaders are in Kiev to mark three years of the war. Firstly,
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the Conservative Union bloc, composed of the Christian Democratic Union
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and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union Party,
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celebrated a victory in the twenty twenty five German federal elections,
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with their leader Frederick Mears, proclaiming success on election night
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in Berlin. Despite their win, the mood at the party
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headquarters was subdued, as the Union had anticipated a stronger performance,
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aiming for thirty plus percent on x, but only managed
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to secure about twenty eight percent of the vote. This
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outcome falls short of allowing them to govern alone, necessitating
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the search for coalition partners to achieve a governing majority
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under Germany's proportional representation system. The election also saw a
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significant rise in support for the Alternate for Germany Party
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or AfD, a populist party with segments deemed far right extremists.
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Which secured the second highest share of votes at twenty percent.
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The party's co leader, Alice Wielder, highlighted the party's growth,
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stating that the CDU and CSU could only fulfill their
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campaign promises by collaborating with the AfD. However, Frederick Meres
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and the Union have firmly excluded any coalition with the AfD,
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citing major ideological differences on several key issues, including foreign
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policy and European integration. The political landscape is further complicated
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by the poor performance of the Social Democrats and the Greens,
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both potential coalition partners for the Union. The Social Democrats
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recorded their worst results since eighteen ninety, adding another layer
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of challenges as the Union seeks to form a viable government.
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So what, Germans voted clearly for change, much like every
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other European country has done that has gone to the
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ballot in the last few years. However, the majority of
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the country voted for a somewhat subtler change, voting for
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the Conservative Party over the AfD, which is widely considered
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to be far right. While their boost and popularity is notable,
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it is highly unlikely they will get any power in
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this government. Yet it is possible that if the situation
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in Jermany doesn't change, then the AfD may win the
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majority in the next election and next president. Vladimir Zelensky
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of Ukraine has offered a bold proposal during a press
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conference in Kiev, stating that he would resign from his
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position immediately if he guaranteed Ukraine's membership in NATO, framing
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his potential resignation as a sacrifice for national peace and security.
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This statement comes amid ongoing and tensions and the third
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adversary of Russian's full scale invasion of the country, and
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a further plea for support. Zelenski expressed the desire for
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the United States under Donald Trump to engage more deeply
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with Ukraine, seeking a role beyond mere mediation between Ukraine
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and Russia, as comments underline the strained relations between the
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two countries, with Trump recently intensifying criticism by la bling
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Zelensky a dictator and errorously accusing Ukraine of instigating the
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conflict or while suggesting that both Russia and Ukraine leaders
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meet to negotiate an end to the conflict. In addition
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to the political maneuvers, Zelensky discussed security and economic strategies,
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urging Trump to provide concrete security guarantees to Ukraine. He
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highlighted the ongoing negotiations that might allow the US to
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access Ukraine's natural resources and exchange for continued security assistance,
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with potential deals on rare earth minerals close to being
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finalized with Trump's Special envoy. Zelensky also pushed back on
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claims that Ukraine owes the US five hundred billion u
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S dollars for wartime support, citing data from Germany's Kiel
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Institute
Load full transcript
for the World Economy that places the total of
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US aid at one hundred and fourteen billion. As remarks,
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emphasized that such financial aid should be seen as grants
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rather than loans, contrasting the approaches of the US and
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the European Union and reflecting the broader geopolitical and financial
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complexities facing Ukraine and the war. So what, In my
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personal opinion, Zelensky is absolutely smashing it. He stayed at
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the start of the war and has continued to prove
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to be a good wartime leader. This statement is no different.
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It goes against all the negative media that is currently
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being put out about him and the Ukrainian government. However,
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one thing he needs to improve on is how he
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deals with Trump. Regardless of your thoughts about Trump, Zelensky
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needs to improve how he deals with them, or else
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it seems likely Trump will withdraw all support. Houghton has
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shown his skill in dealing with Trump both during his
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last tenure and in the last few weeks. He shows
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that he knows the man. Due to this, Zelensky and
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Ukraine are likely to suffer of Zelensky cannot personally improve
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his relationship with the US leader. And lastly, on the
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third anniversary of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Ukraine
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has hosted European leaders in a significant summit in Kiev,
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highlighting solidarity and shared stakes with Europe amidst the ongoing war.
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Zelensky's administration, however, noted the absence of top US officials.
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This underscores are pivot by the US administration towards Moscow.
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This shift comes amid escalating tensions marked by Trump's harsh
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criticisms of Zelensky, whom he laid labeled a dictator and
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wrongly accused of initiating the conflict. These developments have come
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sided with US engaging in direct talks with Russia. In
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Saudi Arabia, notably excluding Ukraine and any European representation in Kiev. Today,
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European leaders, including the European Commission President, the European Council President,
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and various European presidents and prime ministers, have gathered to
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demonstrate their support for Ukraine. The Assembly discussed crucial matters
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such as the need for increased defense spending and strategic
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unity against the backdrop of Zelensky's push for a stronger
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collective European military posture. The Ukrainian president emphasized the necessity
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of achieving peace through strength was the min unity, underscoring
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the broader implications for Europe's destiny. Meanwhile, Ukraine's deputy Prime
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minister indicated that they were close to finalizing a significant
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deal with the US for access to its mineral resources
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so one. Similarly to the last story, this division between
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Ukraine and the US seems to come from the personal
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issues between Zelensky and Trump. It is likely that if
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Zelensky can change his tact with Trump, then the relationship
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will likely improve, both personally and at the national level. Regardless,
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it is likely that the EU will provide enough support
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to continue with the defense of Ukraine while Trump tries
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to secure his piece deal. One thing, they will almost
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certainly cripple Ukraine as if Trump prematurely removes sanctions on Russia,
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allowing them to recover economically before a DL is reached,
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this would likely be the final nail in Ukraine's coffin,
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as the only real thing that is currently going in
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their favors the damage to the Russian economy. Thank you
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for tuning in to the Intel Reef, your daily update
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on global geopolitics, brought to you by Age Intelligence. You
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for listening. I've been your host, Daniel, and I'll see
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you next time.