The Globalist — Ukraine Peace Talks, Beijing Might Sit Down with Taiwan, and Aviation News
Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Emma Nelson (Monocle Radio)
Episode Overview:
This episode provides nuanced reporting on major current affairs: the high-stakes Ukraine peace discussions in London, the potential for Beijing to open talks with Taiwan's opposition (but not the government), a round-up of global news, analysis of the Warner Bros.-Netflix-Paramount media battle, a look at the luxury hospitality market in Romania, and the latest in global aviation. Key correspondents and expert guests weigh in throughout.
1. Ukraine Peace Talks: Zelenskyy in London
Segment: [01:24–13:09]
Main Theme
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with UK PM Keir Starmer, France’s President Macron, and Germany’s Chancellor Merz in London to discuss the latest Ukraine peace plan, with high secrecy and strategic financial negotiations at stake.
Key Points & Insights
- Unusual Secrecy:
- Talks lasted over two hours without a press conference or leaks, "which is something unusual" compared to recent weeks.
“It’s so quiet. There was no press conference. There were no major leaks of any details, which is something unusual.”
— Julia Jen, Monocle researcher [03:28]
- Talks lasted over two hours without a press conference or leaks, "which is something unusual" compared to recent weeks.
- Unlocking Russian Assets:
- Starmer announced a promising, potentially historic move: Europe may release €100 billion in frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s use; though Belgium is cautious, Zelenskyy is heading to Brussels for further negotiations.
“That’s one of the really big things that could come out of these talks: Europe unlocking €100 billion worth of frozen assets for Ukraine.”
— Julia Jen [03:51]
- Starmer announced a promising, potentially historic move: Europe may release €100 billion in frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s use; though Belgium is cautious, Zelenskyy is heading to Brussels for further negotiations.
- Allocation of Funds:
- Urgency for funding due to a looming fiscal “black hole” in February that would be "catastrophic." Funds would cover weapons procurement (notably U.S.-made Patriots) and possibly future reconstruction.
- Extraordinary Political Pressure:
- The “dance of supplication”—Zelenskyy must appear strong to both European allies and Americans, while facing intense U.S. pressure (especially from Trump-aligned teams). Reports suggest U.S. negotiators are pressing for territorial concessions to Russia (especially Donbas).
“...extraordinary pressure on Zelenskyy to give that up.”
— Julia Jen [05:55] - Zelenskyy stands firm: “There cannot be any giving up of territory to Russia because that goes against Ukraine’s constitution.” [06:32]
- The “dance of supplication”—Zelenskyy must appear strong to both European allies and Americans, while facing intense U.S. pressure (especially from Trump-aligned teams). Reports suggest U.S. negotiators are pressing for territorial concessions to Russia (especially Donbas).
- Domestic Political Turmoil:
- Corruption scandals have eroded Zelenskyy’s parliamentary support; new political figures are emerging, which may challenge Zelenskyy’s ability to unify Ukraine.
“Parliament right now is sort of in chaos... That key aid... to the corruption scandal has really fractured things in Parliament.”
— Julia Jen [07:41]
- Corruption scandals have eroded Zelenskyy’s parliamentary support; new political figures are emerging, which may challenge Zelenskyy’s ability to unify Ukraine.
- European-U.S. Friction:
- European leaders are wary the U.S. may “betray Ukraine” on security and territorial issues. There’s speculation about a revived U.S. “Monroe Doctrine” approach, pushing Europe toward more self-reliance. Macron is reported as saying Europe “can’t basically leave [Zelenskyy] in the room alone with Trump and his team” [09:36]
- On the Ground in Ukraine:
- Russian bombardment intensifies with railway stations and infrastructure targeted, aiming to sever Ukraine’s internal connectivity.
“Let’s remember that since 2022, we haven’t had a civilian flight within Ukraine.”
— Julia Jen [11:53]
- Russian bombardment intensifies with railway stations and infrastructure targeted, aiming to sever Ukraine’s internal connectivity.
- Diplomatic Isolation:
- Russia’s demands include shutting down diplomatic air travel, aiming to isolate Ukraine.
Notable Quotes
- “If Zelenskyy doesn’t give up on that territorial question… he will enjoy the support of Ukrainians.”
— Julia Jen [08:56]
2. Potential Cross-Strait Talks: Beijing and Taiwan’s KMT
Segment: [13:21–20:50]
Main Theme
China signals willingness to talk with Taiwan’s main opposition KMT—not the government—while demanding conditions that would fundamentally undermine Taiwan’s defense and security posture.
Key Points & Insights
- Three Demands from Beijing:
- KMT must refuse the government’s $40 billion special defense budget.
- KMT must reject national security budgets aimed at countering Chinese influence.
- Essentially, KMT must help weaken Taiwan’s defense and resistance to Beijing.
“These conditions are trying to compromise and weaken the government's attempt to… reduce China’s influence.”
— William Yang, International Crisis Group [13:49] - Risks for KMT:
- Cooperating with Beijing’s conditions would likely damage KMT’s prospects in the 2028 election, as Taiwanese public opinion grows more wary of China.
“It would actually be a very damaging move for them as a political party in Taiwan… it would seriously undermine their chances of winning any election.”
— William Yang [15:55]
- Cooperating with Beijing’s conditions would likely damage KMT’s prospects in the 2028 election, as Taiwanese public opinion grows more wary of China.
- KMT’s Strategic Calculus:
- They argue dialogue is “the best course of response” and reflect a generational perspective that engagement with Beijing is realistic and necessary.
- The new party chairwoman is “pushing pretty hard for a potential meeting with Xi Jinping.”
- Official DPP/China Stalemate:
- No direct official contact since 2016; under President Lai the situation has further deteriorated, even back channels are dormant.
- China’s Leverage:
- Only the KMT retains an open channel to Beijing, making them a unique domestic target for Chinese pressure.
3. Press Review — European and Global Headlines
Segment: [21:56–28:01]
Main Topics
- UK-French Migrant Tensions:
- British anti-migrant activists (“Raise the Colors”) are traveling to French beaches to disrupt small-boat Channel crossings. NGOs accuse authorities on both sides of inadequate response.
“Nine French humanitarian groups say both the UK and French authorities are failing to stop groups traveling over.”
— Zoe Grunewald, Westminster Editor [22:50]
- British anti-migrant activists (“Raise the Colors”) are traveling to French beaches to disrupt small-boat Channel crossings. NGOs accuse authorities on both sides of inadequate response.
- Australia: Social Media Ban for Under-16s:
- Australia becomes a global leader in youth digital safety regulation, provoking fierce industry backlash and setting an example watched by governments worldwide.
“Tech firms have had 15–20 years to self-regulate and they failed.”
— Zoe Grunewald [25:33]
- Australia becomes a global leader in youth digital safety regulation, provoking fierce industry backlash and setting an example watched by governments worldwide.
- India: Cash Transfers for Housework:
- An experimental program pays women monthly cash (12–24 pounds) for domestic work, aimed at boosting autonomy and reducing household conflict.
“It is boosting financial autonomy, reducing household conflict and improving women’s bargaining power in small but meaningful ways.”
— Zoe Grunewald [27:37]
- An experimental program pays women monthly cash (12–24 pounds) for domestic work, aimed at boosting autonomy and reducing household conflict.
4. Obituary: Architect Frank Gehry
Segment: [29:10–30:10]
- Frank Gehry, legendary Canadian-American architect known for curvaceous, city-transforming designs, dies at 96.
- Pritzker Prize winner; best known for the Guggenheim Bilbao (1997).
“Few architects can boast careers as varied, far-reaching and original…”
— Nick Moniz, Monocle Design Editor [29:22]
5. Media Megadeals Battle: Warner Bros., Netflix, Paramount
Segment: [30:25–37:51]
Main Theme
After Netflix signs a deal to buy parts of Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount–SkyDance counters with a mammoth all-cash hostile bid, stirring regulatory, political, and cultural fears.
Key Points & Insights
- Why Warner Bros. Vulnerable:
- Debt load, underperforming stock, and a lagging streaming service left WB open to suitors.
- Deal Anatomy:
- Netflix’s bid: for film, TV, and streaming (HBO Max), leaves out TV channels.
- Paramount’s bid: $108 billion for “the entirety” (film, TV, streaming, channels).
- Political Web:
- Paramount ownership ties to Trump donors; Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner on board.
“The concern is that CNN and CBS would be in the same camp… critics are worried [Trump] will push for conditions on how these outlets are run in exchange for the deal going through.”
— Karen Krizanovich, Film Critic [35:29]
- Paramount ownership ties to Trump donors; Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner on board.
- Cultural Implications:
- Fears that the cinematic experience (theatrical releases) could be diminished if Netflix’s “home entertainment” ethos dominates.
“Netflix… not fans of the cinematic experience. And that is what the entire ecosystem is based on.”
— Karen Krizanovich [34:01]
- Fears that the cinematic experience (theatrical releases) could be diminished if Netflix’s “home entertainment” ethos dominates.
- Regulatory and Monopolistic Concerns:
- The combined assets would see massive consolidation in media, TV, and streaming—heightening monopoly fears.
“...concern is this is what everyone’s saying: what happened to Monopoly?”
— Karen Krizanovich [32:42]
- The combined assets would see massive consolidation in media, TV, and streaming—heightening monopoly fears.
6. Japan Earthquake: On the Ground in Hakodate
Segment: [38:29–43:43]
Main Theme
In-depth, eyewitness report from Hakodate after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake shocks northeast Japan.
Key Points & Insights
- Evacuation Experience:
- Tourists and locals efficiently evacuated; communication challenges bridged by multilingual staff and translation apps.
“In a small hotel… five languages being spoken… with a combination of multilingualists and translation apps, they managed to get key messages to move, to take shelter.”
— Ben Davis, Monocle Contributing Editor [41:43]
- Tourists and locals efficiently evacuated; communication challenges bridged by multilingual staff and translation apps.
- Infrastructure Performance:
- Infrastructure largely withstood the quake; Shinkansen (bullet train) service briefly suspended but resumed swiftly.
- Building Experience:
- Building design (height, age) affects quake perception; older close-to-ground buildings “jolt,” high-rise rooms sway.
7. Luxury Hospitality: Bucharest and Corinthia Hotels’ Vision
Segment: [44:34–51:36]
Main Theme
Simon Kasson, CEO of Corinthia Hotels, discusses luxury hospitality’s expansion into “undiscovered” European cities like Bucharest, brand values, and the wellness/longevity trend.
Key Points & Insights
- Evaluating Destinations:
- They don’t wait for a city to be “ready”—they invest if they see future growth. Bucharest cited as a risk that’s paying off.
- Bucharest’s Transformation:
- Rehabilitation of historic buildings (Grand Hotel on Boulevard) as part of city’s luxury revival.
- Hospitality Trends Post-COVID:
- Full bounce-back in travel; biggest lingering crisis is workforce shortages due to pandemic layoffs.
- The “Well-gevity” Trend:
- Sleep quality is paramount, plus healthy eating, movement, and mental wellness as core hospitality offerings.
“You don’t want to live long if you’re not well. You want to live well and long—well-gevity, I don’t think I made that up!”
— Simon Kasson [49:03] - Hotels must be “not a cause of stress.”
- Sleep quality is paramount, plus healthy eating, movement, and mental wellness as core hospitality offerings.
8. Aviation Update: African Adventures, Indian Airline Struggles, Qantas News
Segment: [51:52–57:55]
Key Points & Insights
- St Helena’s Notorious Airstrip:
- Gabriel Lee recounts hair-raising flight and landing at St Helena’s famously difficult airport; pilots require special training due to wind shear and remoteness.
“A runway built a thousand feet on a cliff… you have to expect wind shear…”
— Gabriel Lee [52:41]
- Gabriel Lee recounts hair-raising flight and landing at St Helena’s famously difficult airport; pilots require special training due to wind shear and remoteness.
- IndiGo Meltdown in India:
- Regulatory change on pilot fatigue led to mass cancellations; India’s largest carrier failed to plan for new rules, exposing operational weaknesses.
- Qatar Airways Management Shuffle:
- The “well-regarded” CEO abruptly replaced amid mystery.
- Qantas A380 Fleet Back:
- Qantas brings final A380 out of storage after deep overhaul, with upgraded first class features.
9. Notable Memorable Moments & Quotes
- “It’s such a monumental shift… Europe recalibrating to reduce reliance on the US.” — Julia Jen (in reference to both security and nuclear deterrent) [10:25]
- “You can eat whatever you want in a luxury hotel, but we also need to make sure we give you healthy options if you’re on keto at that time, or if you’re vegan…” — Simon Kasson [50:09]
- “It’s the last one [Qantas A380] they had in storage for many years… now it’s back.” — Gabriel Lee [57:15]
10. Timestamps for Key Segments
- Ukraine peace talks insight: [02:17–13:09]
- Beijing-Taiwan opposition contacts: [13:21–20:50]
- European press front pages/news: [21:56–28:01]
- Frank Gehry obituary: [29:10–30:10]
- Media megadeals (Warner Bros./Netflix/Paramount): [30:25–37:51]
- Japan earthquake on the ground: [38:29–43:43]
- Luxury travel/hospitality focus: [44:34–51:36]
- Aviation roundup: [51:52–57:55]
Tone & Language:
Faithful to Monocle’s calm, informed, global perspective, blending expert insight with narrative reporting, and interspersed with direct, insightful quotes from correspondents and guests.
For a listener seeking a deeply informed, articulate snapshot of the day’s international affairs—and how the headlines are shaped by, and shaping, strategic global decisions—this episode of The Globalist delivers across the board.