Vance: Counting "Thank Yous"

Hi Global Recap readers,

Today was a major day politically.

Washington hosted top EU leaders and President Zelenskyy, with everyone bracing for a repeat of February’s chaos.

Meanwhile, plenty of “influencers” on X griped about Zelenskyy refusing to cede land to Putin (in the name of peace, of course).

• They claim it's about "peace," but it makes one wonder if they would let the US president cede land if other nations attacked the US.

  • For example, in 1939, 94% of Americans opposed declaring war on Germany.

  • Then in 1941, after Pearl Harbor was attacked, 97% were in favor.

• It really makes you wonder if the incentives for mainstream journalists and so-called "independent" online commentators aren’t more aligned than they’d like to admit. Or, is it something else?

🌐 WORLD
Fast Scroll News

🇵🇸 Hamas Accepts Ceasefire

Hamas has agreed to a new Gaza cease-fire plan brokered by Qatar and Egypt that ties the release of Israeli hostages to Palestinian prisoners, while Israel weighs its reply.

• Terms: Temporary halt to fighting, phased prisoner–hostage swaps, Israeli military redeployment, and increased humanitarian aid flow into Gaza.

• Status: Israel has not formally responded and is awaiting full proposal details from mediators.

• Remaining: Up to 20 hostages are believed to be still alive in Gaza, with bodies of 30 still held by Hamas.

• Protest: Over 400,000 Israelis rallied Sunday, demanding a truce and the return of hostages.

🇰🇵 Kim Inspects Nuclear Destroyer

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un just vowed to speed up his nuclear program after touring the Choe Hyon, a 5,000‑ton destroyer now being outfitted for nuclear-capable weapons.

• Timing: The visit to Nampo port came as 21,000 troops from South Korea and the US began the 11‑day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise.

• Claim: Kim accused the drills of showing a “will to ignite a war” and of adding a “nuclear element.”

• Fleet: The Choe Hyon is slated for active duty next year, with anti-air, anti‑naval, and missile systems designed for preemptive strikes.

• Expansion: A second destroyer, Kang Kon, was relaunched in June after it was damaged in a botched debut. A third is due by October.

🇧🇴 Bolivia Ends Socialist Era

Bolivia’s once-dominant socialist party just lost its grip after 20 straight years, with centrist Rodrigo Paz and right-wing ex-president Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga heading to a runoff that could reset the nation’s politics.

• Lineup: Paz led the first round, backed by viral-video-running-mate Edman Lara, while Quiroga trailed with promises of IMF and World Bank cash.

• Crisis: Inflation hit 16% in July, gas shortages have people sleeping in cars, and bread now comes with a queue.

• Shift: Both contenders studied in the US and talk about privatization, tax incentives, and shrinking the state.

🇮🇱 Israel Responds After Australia Blocks

Israel’s Foreign Minister just revoked the visas of Australian envoys to the Palestinian Authority after Australia blocked its "far‑right" lawmaker, Simcha Rothman, from entering.

• Trigger: Gideon Sa’ar announced the move on X late Monday, tying it to both the visa denial and Australia’s plan to recognize Palestinian statehood.

• Reaction: Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the decision “unjustified,” accusing Israel of overreach.

• Timeline: Rothman’s visa was canceled earlier the same day, ahead of a speaking tour set for August.

• Backdrop: The dispute erupted under Anthony Albanese’s government, already in friction with Israel over Gaza policy.

Despite Australia blocking the Israeli politician first, Wong said the following:

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Trump Greets Zelenskyy & EU Leaders

Just days after his high-profile summit with Putin in Alaska, Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and several European leaders to the White House to talk next steps on bringing peace to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Here's a list of those who participated:

• Finland: President Stubb

• France: President Macron

• Germany: Chancellor Merz

• Italy: Prime Minister Meloni

• UK: Prime Minister Starmer

• European Commission: President von der Leyen

• NATO: Secretary-General Rutte

Greetings

First, came the greetings (and probably the most nerve-racking part).

• This was Zelenskyy’s first time back in the US since his tense White House meeting in February.

  • Back then, Trump supporters slammed him for not wearing the suit, calling it disrespectful to the presidency.

  • Vice President JD Vance piled on, taking a swipe with his now-famous line: “Have you said thank you once?”

• Keeping that history in mind, Trump greeted him with a joke, saying he “loved the suit.”

JD Meme

Then of course, came the memes. Here's one of JD Vance waiting for Zelenskyy to show ingratitude.

Bilateral Meeting

Next up was the presser during Trump and Zelenskyy’s Oval Office meeting. Maybe it’s a little PTSD, but watching it felt tense, since it’s the same setting where Zelenskyy had that messy face-off with US leaders before. Here's a reminder:

That said, his time around, the two leaders kept things polite.

• The press, though, wasn’t having it. Reporters pushed with loaded questions, trying to bait Trump into saying something that could torpedo any Russia-Ukraine deal, while tossing sharp ones at Zelenskyy hoping he’d slip under pressure.

• But both handled quite well, although Zelenskyy kept thanking the reporters and Trump (most likely because of Vance’s comments last time).

Doocy

Here's Peter Doocy from Fox News asking Zelenskyy, “How much more do you want?” in reference to aid, and, “Are you prepared to keep sending Ukrainian troops to their deaths?”

Honestly, it felt over the top.

• Even some Trump supporters online seemed annoyed, calling out the questions as more performative than probing—like Doocy was angling to look like a “fearless” truth-teller rather than actually getting answers.

Glenn

Brian Glenn from Real America’s Voice, who mocked Zelenskyy back in February for not wearing a suit, decided to compliment his outfit this time. It came off less like praise and more like a cheeky dig.

• Zelenskyy, though, was ready with a sharper comeback: “It’s the same suit. You see, I have changed. You have not.”

Elections?

When asked about holding elections, Zelenskyy explained that a real vote requires security on land, in the air, and at sea.

• Critics like to slap the “dictator” label on him for that stance, but it’s actually standard practice (and often the wiser move) when a country is at war. Without stability, elections risk low turnout, manipulation, or outright chaos under martial law.

• Case in point: the UK canceled its 1940 general election during World War II, extending Parliament until 1945.

• To break the tension, Trump cracked a joke, saying maybe the US won’t hold hold elections in three and a half years (when Trump’s presidency comes to an end) if the US is at war.

Multilateral Meeting

Then came the multilateral meeting between all the leaders, where all the leaders thanked President Trump and said their piece on how they see peace being achieved between Russia and Ukraine.

Here's what we've learned:

• Security Guarantees for Ukraine: The US pledged to help guarantee Ukraine’s security if a peace deal is reached.

  • Zelenskyy stated that these guarantees could be finalized within 10 days.

  • Trump said that Putin agreed to a Western security guarantee for Ukraine. Although, this seems to be more of a paper guarantee akin to the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, rather than NATO books in Ukraine.

  • He also remarked that he spoke to President Putin, who agreed to a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting, with the possibility to Trump also joining if both parties want him there.

• Trilateral Summit Proposed: Following the bilateral talks, a three-way summit involving Trump, Zelenskyy, and Putin is expected to take place

• $90 Billion Arms Deal: Ukraine proposed a $90 billion package to purchase US weapons, financed by Europe. Additionally, the US and Ukraine plan a $50 billion drone production deal.

• Which First? German Chancellor Merz pointed something out that is the main point of contention now— what comes first, a peace deal or a ceasefire?

  • Trump’s take is that a ceasefire isn’t essential if a peace agreement, one that covers things like land concessions and hostage releases, can wrap the war up immediately.

  • Merz, on the other hand, argues a ceasefire has to come first. This would bring quick relief and to buy time for hammering out the details.