The Monocle Daily — January 23, 2026

Rare Trilateral Talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the US Cap a Week of Geopolitical Change

Overview

This episode of The Monocle Daily explores a landmark trilateral meeting between Ukraine, Russia, and the US in Abu Dhabi — the first of its kind since the outbreak of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The panel, hosted by Georgina Godwin, analyzes whether this high-stakes diplomatic summit marks genuine progress or remains, in the host’s words, “a mirage.” The discussion also expands to domestic US debates on interventionism, the tumultuous state of American politics as midterms loom, key takeaways from the World Economic Forum in Davos, and a flurry of cultural recommendations, before ending with a satirical look at President Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize and Greenland ambitions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trilateral Peace Talks: Format, Stakes, and Uncertainties

Segment Start: 04:37

• Historic setting: First tripartite Ukraine-Russia-US talks since 2022; significant because previous talks never included all three parties.
• Venue: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Delegations led by senior security and defense officials, notably including Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and developer Steve Witkoff alongside security personnel.
  • “They must be absolutely exhausted, but they are going to be a party to these talks.” — Charles Hecker (05:31)
• Absence of Heads of State: None of the major leaders (Trump, Putin, Zelensky) are present. Mark Adelman points out this is increasingly less significant with “senior heavy hitters” in the room, but Kushner’s and Witkoff’s near-cabinet role is unique to the Trump White House.
  • “Nothing is typical when it comes to President Trump. ... He has empowered Jared and Steve Witkoff with almost the powers of the Secretary of State.” — Mark Adelman (07:04)
• Sticking Points:
  • “Outstanding issues are about territory and security guarantees, and these remain the most difficult elements of the negotiation.” — Charles Hecker (06:46)
  • Russia reportedly demands Ukraine relinquish territory it does not currently control, while opposing foreign “deconfliction” troops; Ukraine insists on European and US security guarantees.
  • “I can't imagine anything that would prompt President Zelensky to say, oh, well, we'll just give you this, then.” — Charles Hecker (07:45)
  • The dual role of Jared Kushner signals how much business factors into the negotiations, as well as pure statecraft.

2. US Domestic Debate: The Costs of Intervention and Trump’s Foreign Policy

Segment Start: 09:15

• Washington’s Influence and Trump’s Style:
  • Mark Adelman asserts Trump is using the potential to end the Ukraine war as a “clarion call for his power and leadership.”
  • Trump repeatedly frames himself as a humanitarian who wants to “end this war” because of its human cost, something Adelman says is a genuine concern for him.
• Greenland Gambit:
  • Trump’s push to annex Greenland finds little traction among American voters, who are, according to Adelman, largely focused on daily economic concerns, not expansion.
    • “The idea that bringing Greenland in is a America first ideal just doesn't really fly. ... We haven't taken territory...in over 100 years.” — Mark Adelman (10:17)
  • The panel jokes about “the Danish American War,” underscoring the bizarre nature of the proposal.

3. 2026 US Elections: Political Implications for Both Parties

Segment Start: 11:11

• Republican Tensions:
  • Charles Hecker notes the MAGA movement is “at war with itself,” citing high-profile retirements and splits (notably Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation).
    • “You may see Republicans coming to the conclusion that associating themselves too close to President Trump is a toxic move.” — Charles Hecker (11:15)
• Democratic Leadership Search:
  • Adelman highlights the ongoing search for a credible Democratic challenger, naming Gavin Newsom (who “was very much a star this week at Davos”), J.B. Pritzker, Gretchen Whitmer, Josh Shapiro, and Andy Beshear as rising figures.
  • Emphasizes growing talk in Congress about the President’s war powers and treaty-making:
    • “The president is not a king... You need Congress to be able to create treaties. ... That is going to be very present and discussed at great length.” — Mark Adelman (12:31)

4. Davos Wrap-Up: The Mood, the Mark Carney Speech, and Global Realities

Segment Start: 16:36

• Ukraine’s Presence:

  • Carlotta Rebelo reports less focus on Ukraine in the official Davos program this year, though the “Ukraine House” continued effective advocacy, assembling diplomats and business leaders to discuss reconstruction.
    • “Ukraine House did a good job at bringing people together...this is a conference where we want to bring money. It's all about investment.” — Carlotta Rebelo (17:12)

• China’s Decreased Visibility: Only the Vice Premier attended; India had its largest-ever delegation, missing Modi.

• Mark Carney’s Speech:

  • Called a "speech for the history books" (19:01), Carney confronts “nostalgia for the old world order,” arguing the world faces rupture, not transition.
    • “It's clear that the relationship with US and its allies has changed. It's no longer a question of how. So it's a matter of adaptation.” — Carlotta Rebelo (19:01)
  • A protest, “NO KINGS,” in torchlight on the mountain, was timed for Trump’s speech.

• Davos Design and ‘House’ Diplomacy:

  • Nigeria House makes its debut, marking growing African engagement on the world stage.
  • Kosovo’s ongoing strong presence; “Prime Minister Albin Kurti was at the house every single day...hosting people.” — Carlotta Rebelo (21:23)

5. Culture & Lifestyle Recommendations

Segment Start: 21:38

• Oscars and Brazilian cinema:
  • Fernando Augusto Pacheco recommends "Secret Agent" — a Brazilian political crime thriller nominated for four Oscars.
    • “If you watch this film, you understand a lot about Brazil... It's a visual feast.” — Fernando Augusto Pacheco (22:40)
• Paris Exhibitions:
  • Claudia Jacob highlights Gerhard Richter retrospective at Fondation Louis Vuitton — traces the artist's progression from 1962 to today.
• Groundbreaking Film:
  • “Sirat,” a Spanish film lauded for its sound — the first all-female sound team nominated at the Oscars.
• Minimalism in Paris:
  • New show at Bourse de Commerce, exploring American minimalism in contrast to Parisian maximalism.
• Oscars embrace horror:
  • “Sinners” earns 16 Oscar nominations, a record for horror.
  • “Weapons” becomes a surprise hit; Amy Madigan gets nominated for her supporting role as a supernatural aunt (27:14).
    • “She became a bit of a gay icon as well. I think Weapons is a great film...even if you're not a horror fan, I think you should try a little bit.” — Fernando Augusto Pacheco (27:18)
• Art Deco Centenary in Paris:
  • 100 years since the Art Deco exhibition, with special attention on the restored Orient Express.
    • “It’s an acknowledgement of the staying power of Art Deco.” — Claudia Jacob (28:18)
• Canadian Gay Hockey Drama:
  • “Heated Rivalry” — celebrated for its candid depiction and “buttocks like pneumatic hams” headline (29:24).
• Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club (London):
  • Classical music added to its venue for the first time — expanding its jazz heritage (30:33).

6. Satirical Closing: Trump, Nobel Prizes, and the Greenland Saga

Segment Start: 31:45

• Trump's "Hyperactively Sore Loser" Response:
  • Satire of Trump's reactions to Scandinavian leaders and the Nobel Peace Prize, including a mock letter to Norway and Denmark.
    • “Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped eight wars... I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace.” — (33:16)
• Maria Corina Machado hands her actual Nobel medal to Trump:
  • The show lampoons this as the perfect “Nobel Consolation Prize,” hung in a “tacky gold frame.”
• Jokes About Danish-American War, NATO’s Dilemmas:
  • Satirical speculation about a war over Greenland, confusion about NATO Article 5.
• Endnote on Trump’s rhetorical style:
  • “We have a concept of a deal. I think it's going to be a very good deal for the United States, also for them. ... We'll work on something having to do with the Arctic as a whole, but also Greenland.” — Donald Trump (37:47)
• Icelandic Stock Market Joke:
  • Trump blames Iceland for a drop in the US market, further blurring Greenland-Iceland-Denmark distinctions.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Moscow’s Energy:

  • “Moscow is an inexhaustible city with phenomenal energy. It's big, it's brash, it's beautiful, it's ugly, it's monstrous, but it just goes.” — Charles Hecker (03:59)

• On Davos Protests:

  • “Some 400 torches and spelled NO KINGS up the mountain, lit up in fire. So that was super visible. On the day that Trump delivered his speech.” — Carlotta Rebelo (19:56)

• On US Political Dynamics:

  • “The president is not a king. ... You need Congress to be able to create treaties. ... That is also going to be very present and discussed at great length with politicians that are campaigning all year.” — Mark Adelman (12:31)

• On US public and Greenland:

  • “We haven't taken territory in any kind of way in over 100 years.” — Mark Adelman (10:17)

• On Art Deco’s staying power:

  • “It's an acknowledgment of the staying power of Art Deco... it's still as relevant as it was in 1925.” — Claudia Jacob (28:18)

• On “buttocks like pneumatic hams”:

  • “I became aware of this film, this gay hockey player film, because of Charles Hecker actually, who...pointed out...as buttocks like pneumatic hams.” — Georgina Godwin (29:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trilateral Ukraine-Russia-US Talks: 04:37–09:15
• US Political Dynamics & Greenland Debate: 09:15–13:40
• Davos Reports & Mark Carney’s Speech: 16:36–21:38
• Culture Recommendations: 21:38–31:08
• Trump's Nobel Prize Satire & Nordic Insults: 31:45–38:31

Tone and Style

• The conversation is lively, occasionally tongue-in-cheek, and at times sharply satirical, especially when discussing US domestic politics, Trump’s rhetoric, and Nordic diplomatic gaffes.
• Cultural segments blend high-brow art recommendations with humour and contemporary references.

This episode gives listeners a panoramic—and often witty—overview of a pivotal week in geopolitics, blending close reporting on diplomacy with shrewd observations on Western politics, international business, and world culture.