🐾 "You dumb"

Author

Geopolitics Hound
September 14, 2023

Good morning, readers!

😪 Geopolitics was taking a nap this week… or so we thought. Honestly, we were expecting it to end just as quietly. But how wrong we were.

Here’s a sneak peak:

  • 🇺🇦 Ukrainian diplomat effectively calls countries “too dumb.”

  • 🇫🇷 France halts iPhone 12 sales.

  • 🇪🇪 Estonia closes its borders for Russian cars.

And more.

Today’s geopolitics hotspots:

Ukrainian diplomat insults intellect of India and China

Mykhailo Podolyak’s interview with Ukrainian journalist Natalya Vlashchenko.

🤦‍♂️ Insult.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to President Zelenskyy, said that India, China, and other countries have “weak intellectual potential” and do not understand the modern world.

Why say such a thing when Ukraine is starting to be labeled as “rude” and “ungrateful?”

Here’s his complete statement:

"What’s wrong with India, China, and so forth. The problem is that they are not analyzing the consequences of their steps, these countries have weak intellectual potential, unfortunately.

Yes, they invest in science. Yes, India has launched a lunar rover presently and is now trekking on the surface of the Moon, but that does not indicate that this country fully comprehends what the modern world is about."

Mykhailo Podolyak.

🙅‍♀️ Backlash.

India: The Indian government did not respond officially.

Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi:

"These are Podolyak’s personal thoughts. This is not an official position of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the office of the President of Ukraine."

China:

“I have no idea about the background of this statement. He should give an explanation and explain himself.

On the Ukraine crisis, China always acts in a responsible manner to promote talks for peace and facilitate a political settlement. The individual you cited should view China’s position correctly based on accurate interpretation.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry representative Mao Ning.

🙊 U-turn.

Podolyak soon realized his mistake and tried to backtrack on X.

In essence:

  • He accuses Russia of misconstruing his statement and provoking conflict,

  • He says he respects Turkey, India, China and other regional powers and their global roles.

Quick updates

Click the country's name for more.👇🏻

🇫🇷 France:

Apple’s iPhone 12 sales banned in France.

Apple is facing a major setback in one of its biggest markets. France has ordered the tech giant to stop selling the iPhone 12, claiming it emits too much electromagnetic radiation.

Apple disputes the claims and says the phone meets all safety standards. But if it can’t fix the problem, it may have to recall millions of phones.

🇨🇳 China:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning.

China denies iPhone ban.

Apple fans in China can breathe a sigh of relief. The Chinese government has denied banning its officials from using iPhones and other foreign devices.

But don’t celebrate too soon.

The government also hinted at some unspecified security concerns with Apple products. Is this just an effort to boost China’s own tech industry?

🇦🇫 Afghanistan:

China's new ambassador to Afghanistan Zhao Sheng (left) with Taliban Prime Minister Akhund (right).

China cozies up to Taliban.

China is not wasting any time to get on the good side of the new rulers of Afghanistan. The Taliban welcomed China’s new ambassador to Kabul with a lavish reception at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday.

While most of the world gives the Taliban the cold shoulder, China’s playing a different game. Maybe it’s Afghanistan’s $1 trillion worth of mineral resources and metals that’s catching their attention?

🇨🇦 Canada:

Prime Minister Trudeau and Opposition Leader Poilievre.

Trudeau on the ropes as conservatives surge.

Justin Trudeau is losing his grip on power as Canadians grow tired of his scandals and failures. The once-popular Liberal leader is facing calls to resign from within his own party and from the public. His rival, the Conservative Pierre Poilievre, is surging in the polls with his populist message and relentless attacks.

Trudeau says he has more work to do, but will he survive until the next election in 2025?

🇷🇺 Russia:

Kim Jong Un invites Putin to his nuclear playground.

It’s official: the bromance between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin is on. The North Korean leader has extended an invitation to the Russian president to visit Pyongyang after a friendly meeting in Vladivostok, and Putin has accepted with pleasure.

The date of Putin’s visit to North Korea has not been announced yet.

🇪🇪 Estonia:

Estonia slams the door on Russian cars.

Estonia has joined its Baltic neighbors in banning vehicles with Russian plates from entering its territory. The move is part of the EU’s updated guidelines on sanctions against Moscow.

Russia is fuming and calling the move “racist.”