The Globalist – December 5, 2025
Podcast: The Globalist by Monocle
Episode: Putin in India & What Mogherini’s Fraud Accusation Means for EU Trust
Host: Vincent McEvin
Notable Guests: Maya Sharma, Stefaan de Vries, Phil Clarke, Jonathan Fenby, Rosanna Pike, Amorose Abra Amma, Andrew Muller
Episode Overview
This episode examines critical political developments shaping the global agenda: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to India and its diplomatic significance, the fraud investigation surrounding Federica Mogherini and implications for EU institutional trust, changes in European participation in Eurovision, peace efforts in Central Africa, and the geopolitics surrounding Donald Trump’s global moves. The latter half includes an exploration of cultural news from literary prizes to international arts trends.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Putin's State Visit to India: Strategic Ties Amid Global Tensions
(02:05 – 11:28)
- Warm Reception Despite Controversy: Despite ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine, Putin receives a warm welcome from Indian PM Modi, signaling enduring diplomatic and personal ties (“It’s a historical relationship. There are strong defence ties.” – Maya Sharma, 05:34).
- Busy Diplomatic Agenda: Putin’s itinerary includes a one-on-one dinner with Modi, meetings with President Draupadi Murmu, and the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, capped by a state dinner.
- India’s Balancing Act: India resists Western criticism, maintaining longstanding military and economic partnerships with Russia while attempting to diversify suppliers, yet still sourcing significant oil and defense products from Moscow.
- Quote: “India is trying to do that very delicate balancing act...they are not totally able to rely on the United States under Trump.” (Maya Sharma, 05:18)
- “Strongman” Leadership Parallels: Both Putin and Modi are portrayed as leaders with personal rapport and “strongman” images, using the visit to showcase unity.
- Quote: “These are all signs of a kind of closeness which they...want to express to the world.” (Maya Sharma, 08:28)
- Indian Public Sentiment: While some Indians express concern over ties with Russia and China, historic goodwill and rising nationalism reinforce policies of diplomatic independence.
2. EU Scandal: Federica Mogherini’s Fraud Accusation and Erosion of Trust
(11:44 – 16:22)
- The College of Europe Under Scrutiny: Mogherini, the EU’s former foreign policy chief, resigns as rector after being formally accused of corruption linked to leaked information benefiting the elite diplomatic school.
- Quote: “It looks like a classical case of inside information.” (Stefaan de Vries, 13:20)
- Shock in Brussels: As many in the EU’s hierarchy are alumni, the revelation has caused “a lot of uproar” and cast a shadow over the institution’s reputation.
- No Direct Link to EU Leadership, But Broader Repercussions: While Ursula von der Leyen isn’t implicated, the scandal emerges just as the EU pursues new anti-corruption directives and risks further undermining public trust.
- Quote: “This case risks further eroding public trust in EU institutions.” (Stefaan de Vries, 15:52)
3. Geopolitics & Culture: Eurovision Boycotts and Protests
(16:22 – 26:24)
- Eurovision as Geopolitical Battleground: Broadcasters from the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia withdraw from Eurovision 2026, protesting Israel’s continued participation amid the Gaza war.
- Quote: “A break from a very long tradition...many people will be upset that the Netherlands next year will not be there in Vienna.” (Stefaan de Vries, 17:41)
- Cultural vs. Sporting Protests: Discussion highlights a distinction between protest actions in culture (e.g., Eurovision) versus sporting events (e.g., Olympics), with culture increasingly seen as a forum for political stance.
4. African Peace Diplomacy: The Congo–Rwanda Deal and Skepticism
(19:08 – 21:44)
- DRC–Rwanda Peace Agreement: A Trump-hosted summit achieves a peace deal for a deadly, mineral-fueled conflict, but experts express skepticism, noting ongoing violence and the exclusion of rebel group M23.
- Quote: “Even in the last 24 hours, we've seen the conflict continuing. We've seen violence between M23 and the Congolese army.” (Phil Clarke, 20:01)
- Minerals and Geopolitical Competition: The agreement also tries to secure mineral rights for the US, negotiating around contracts currently dominated by China.
5. Donald Trump’s Global Stage: Diplomacy, G20, and FIFA
(21:44 – 30:40)
- US–South Africa Tensions: The US leverages its G20 presidency to pressure South Africa over its Gaza stance and domestic narratives of “white genocide.”
- Influence of South African Expats: Figures like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel are noted as having Trump’s ear on diplomatic direction.
- FIFA Peace Prize and Trump: FIFA is set to award Trump its new “Peace Prize,” a move seen as political showmanship and indicative of the sport's entanglement with US politics.
- Quote: “FIFA...basically have just become a mouthpiece for Trump’s administration.” (Phil Clarke, 29:05)
- Event Hosting and Visa Concerns: US societal and political divisions raise practical concerns for global events like the World Cup, including visa access and security.
6. France–China: Macron’s Difficult Balancing Act
(32:26 – 38:02)
- Macron’s Visit, Stiff Results: Despite amiable optics, France achieves little progress on trade deficits or on persuading China to moderate Russia’s war stance.
- Symbolic Diplomacy: Macron’s panda diplomacy – and promises for future panda exchanges – highlight the largely ceremonial, lightweight outcomes.
- Quote: “China sees Russia as an ally in its bigger struggle with the United States and with the West in general.” (Jonathan Fenby, 34:56)
7. Global Cultural Highlights
a. Comic Fiction Prize
(45:34 – 49:36)
- Rosanna Pike Wins for “A Little Trickery”: Pike discusses her accidental comic voice and the historical inspiration for her debut.
- Quote: “If you go out and set out to be funny, you probably aren’t funny. So it’s because I didn’t try to be funny.” (Rosanna Pike, 48:45)
b. Art Market & Indigenous Exhibition
(51:01 – 58:46)
- Art Basel Miami Beach: Market described as “safe but strong,” with blue-chip works dominating.
- Sydney’s Indigenous Art Triennial: Post-referendum, this major exhibition acts as both reflection and renewal for Australian Indigenous artists, combining historical legacy and contemporary critique.
- ArtReview Power 100: Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama named most influential, recognized for fostering cultural infrastructure in Ghana.
8. Andrew Muller's Satirical Roundup
(38:21 – 44:45)
- Political Satire & Pop Culture:
- Sabrina Carpenter publicly rebukes the White House for the misuse of her song (39:47)
- Defense Secretary Hegseth lambasted for inserting Franklin the Turtle into pro-military propaganda (41:20)
- Trump pardons a controversial Honduran ex-president: “I don’t know who you’re talking about.” (43:09, Phil Clarke as Trump)
- French politician Jordan Bardella becomes the butt of slapstick protest (egg and flour attacks).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On India-Russia Relations:
“There have been posts on social media saying that if our closest friends are Russia and China, then perhaps it is...a cause for concern when it comes to democracy.”
– Maya Sharma (10:22) - On EU Trust:
“This case risks further eroding public trust in EU institutions, even though in reality the two have nothing in common.”
– Stefaan de Vries (15:52) - On Eurovision's Politicization:
“Suddenly what was typically a kind of artistic and cultural moment has become a bit of a geopolitical flashpoint too.”
– Phil Clarke (25:29) - On FIFA and Trump:
“This is a very peculiar entanglement where FIFA basically have just become a mouthpiece for Trump’s administration. It’s going to culminate in Infantino, I think, giving Trump the FIFA Peace Prize.”
– Phil Clarke (29:05) - On Writing Comedy:
“If you go out and set out to be funny, you probably aren’t funny. So it’s because I didn’t try to be funny.”
– Rosanna Pike (48:45) - Satire Standout:
“We learned that the custodians of the social media accounts...thought it would be amusing to soundtrack a gloating clip of arrests by US immigration...with the hitler song Juno by popular warbler Sabrina Carpenter.”
– Andrew Muller (38:56)
Timestamps of Major Segments
- 02:05 – Background to Putin’s state visit to India, analysis with Maya Sharma
- 11:44 – EU fraud probe: College of Europe scandal, discussion with Stefaan de Vries
- 19:08 – Peace deal in DRC and Rwanda, analysis with Phil Clarke
- 21:44 – US–South Africa G20 spat
- 24:45 – Eurovision political boycott, broadcaster participation, Phil Clarke commentary
- 32:26 – Macron’s China trip, with Jonathan Fenby
- 38:21 – Andrew Muller’s satirical roundup of world news
- 45:34 – Interview: Rosanna Pike, Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize winner
- 51:01 – Arts news: Art Basel, Sydney Indigenous exhibition, ArtReview Power 100
Tone & Style
Insightful and diplomatic in news segments, lightly irreverent in Andrew Muller’s “what we learned” roundup, with a consistent focus on both political acumen and international cultural developments.
This detailed summary captures the full arc of the episode, translating discussion into actionable insights and offering a comprehensive guide for listeners and non-listeners alike.