The Monocle Daily – December 2, 2025

Episode Overview:

Main Theme:
This episode of The Monocle Daily, hosted by Andrew Muller, focuses on major international developments: the arrival of Steve Witkoff and other Trump allies in Russia for talks with Vladimir Putin about a Ukraine “peace” plan (notably excluding Ukraine from the table), Europe’s shifting strategic posture as US alliances waver, India-China tensions around missile tests, UK legal reforms, and the end of letter delivery in Denmark. The show also features a segment on Barcelona’s tourism prospects.

Panelists:

• Dr. Marion Mesmer, Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House (International Security)
• Somnath Batabial, Lecturer in Media in Development and International Journalism, SOAS

1. US–Russia “Peace” Talks Exclude Ukraine

[04:50–13:24]

• Context:
  Steve Witkoff (NY real estate magnate), Jared Kushner, and an American delegation are in Moscow to discuss a Ukraine–Russia “peace” plan. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is not involved in talks and remains reserved but insists on a "just peace".

• Panel Reactions:

  • Somnath Batabial:
    • Predicts Zelenskyy is seeking to "give away as less land as possible" – he’s in a hard place since Europe’s main security partner (the US) is now cozying up to Russia.

      "Europe is suddenly realizing that their biggest guarantor of NATO and their worst enemy have probably signed up to some kind of a pact which they are out of." (06:18)

  • Marion Mesmer:
    • Sees Europe’s military position improving relative to Russia, but notes a dangerous confidence gap:

      "It almost doesn't matter that the military balance might be shifting, because if they're not going to project that confidence vis a vis Russia, then that has a huge impact on deterrence anyway." (04:36)

    • Warns Putin’s posturing is bluster, but urges not to underestimate Russia:

      "We need to right size our expectations of Russian strength and European strength. But I don't want us to underestimate Russia either." (08:54)

    • Stresses the worry that "small" states like Ukraine and Poland risk being sidelined in Trump–Putin power games, despite decades of evidence these are serious international players (09:15).
  • On the US "peace" plan:
    • Somnath doubts the talks will yield substantive progress; suspects the US wants to be able to say, “we tried, Ukraine refused.”

      "My first reaction to that 28 point plan was that this is the first one. And then they say, this is so bad, then, okay, we have made some concessions." (10:21)

  • On Europe's Next Moves:
    • Both agree Europe must prepare for self-reliance if the US pulls away; this shift is happening in both military and technology sectors.

      "There are lots of conversations going on. But the huge problem is that we have become so used to relying on the United States as underwriting all sorts of things..." (12:30)

Notable Quotes:

• “Alert observers will have noticed that Ukrainian delegates are conspicuous by their absence.” — Andrew Muller (04:54)
• “What can Zelensky hope? That President Trump doesn't completely sell Ukraine out.” — Somnath Batabial (06:54)
• “Europe is going to have to take complete responsibility for its own security.” — Andrew Muller (11:17)
• “...this is a monumental shift that we're seeing, but expecting it to take place overnight is almost too much.” — Marion Mesmer (12:58)

2. India–China Missile Test Tensions

[13:24–17:46]

• Background:
  India plans a long-range missile test in the Bay of Bengal (likely Dec 11). China sends "research ships" to the area, heightening strategic distrust.

• Panel Analysis:

  • Somnath Batabial:
    • Sees India testing missiles to make a point amid China’s increased maritime surveillance.
    • Points out India’s awkward diplomacy: can’t make a "big shout" because of current rapprochement efforts with Beijing.

      “India has always thought that Indian Ocean Bay of Bengal is kind of their preserve... Suddenly there is a movement of China trying to come in on Indian territory, flexing muscle.” (14:35)

  • Marion Mesmer:
    • Expects China to be more cautious with India than with the Philippines due to India's size and nuclear status.
    • Views China's naval presence as routine monitoring but symbolic of broader contest with India for regional power.

      “Not only because India is bigger, but also because India is a fellow nuclear power... they're also showing that they are there, they are watching, they are contesting the territory.” (16:20)

• Russia's S-500 Pitch to India:

  • Somnath explains India’s long-term reliance on Russian defense and why Modi values that relationship:

    “Russia has been a far more reliable ally over decades to India than the US has been... America has invaded enough places around the globe. So let's not have a moral high ground on that.” (18:16)

3. UK Jury Trial Reforms – Civil Liberties or Necessity?

[19:02–25:41]

• Topic:
  UK government to exclude jury trials for offenses likely to carry sentences under three years, aiming to reduce a case backlog (~80,000 outstanding cases).

• Panel Debate:

  • Marion Mesmer:
    • Points out jury trial tradition is not universal; other systems use panels of judges.
    • Notes flaws in the current UK jury system, including logistical issues and burdens on jurors.

      “There are a lot of other challenges with the jury system... who actually gets selected, how fair it is to put together a jury.” (21:08)

  • Somnath Batabial:
    • Shares perspective as former Indian court reporter — the UK backlog seems modest compared to India.
    • Balances the need to protect civil liberties with the practical necessity for judicial reform.

      “No one goes happily to jury. Very few would go happily to jury service. It's very obvious that you cannot have status quo.” (22:09)

  • On Protest-Related Trials:
    • Marion and Andrew consider the risk that judges (rather than juries) may be less forgiving in protest cases, but see hope in judicial discretion.

      “There are other cases where protesters have broken into military bases... where they ended up with a lighter sentence or no sentence at all.” (24:16)

4. Denmark Abolishes State Letter Delivery – End of an Era?

[25:41–29:56]

• Context:
  State-run post will cease letter and Christmas card deliveries after Dec 30, 2025—first in Europe to do so.

• Panel Discussion:

  • Somnath Batabial:
    • Argues the state should preserve non-profitable traditions, especially at Christmas:

      "The state can step in for some kind of nostalgia… Christmas is a long held tradition. It binds together communities." (26:48)

  • Marion Mesmer:
    • Is saddened by the loss, noting the digital divide and the joys of physical mail.

      "I always wonder in these changes who is actually being left behind, you know, like who still doesn't have an Internet connection who still doesn't have a smartphone." (28:20)

5. Barcelona’s Tourism & Culture Highlights for 2026

[30:21–37:26]

• Interview with Matteo Hernandez, CEO Tourism de Barcelona ([30:21–37:22]):

  • Barcelona’s highlights for 2025: America’s Cup legacy, cityscape rejuvenation, hosting Monocle's Quality of Life conference.
  • 2026 major events:
    • UNESCO World Capital of Architecture.
    • 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death; completion of Sagrada Familia’s Jesus Tower.
    • Tour de France Grand Départ (July).
  • Cultural Offer:
    • Promoting key museums (Picasso, Miró, Tapias, Dali).
    • Celebrating new and refurbished city spaces, such as the Olympic Port.
  • Tourism Philosophy:
    • Focus on “value, not volume”, sustainable growth, investing in culture and business events.
    • Learning from Copenhagen (quality of life), London (culture), Paris (major exhibitions).

• Notable Quote:

  “We don't want to grow. We want to grow on value, not on volume, which is important. The experience of our visitors is very important.” — Matteo Hernandez (36:11)

6. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Ukraine is not at the table. Is it on the menu?” — Andrew Muller, setting the tone for the episode’s analysis (00:43)
• On tradition vs. modernity: “It’s joyful to receive Christmas cards, I’m told… and to send them. There is a reason the state exists and this should be a priority.” — Somnath Batabial (26:46)
• “All that will be happening in Barcelona related to architecture. So the year of architecture and Sagrada Familia is important.” — Matteo Hernandez (32:21)

Key Timestamps

• (04:50) Steve Witkoff, Trump allies, and Putin: Ukraine “peace” without Ukraine
• (06:00) What Zelenskyy wants (“just peace”) and realpolitik dilemmas
• (09:48) Is the Moscow plan serious or a setup for Ukraine to take the blame?
• (11:42) Europe's strategic shift, prepping for security without US backing
• (13:24) India missile tests, China’s naval activity, growing Asian power rivalry
• (18:11) Why India clings to Russia as an ally despite Ukraine war
• (19:02) UK reforms jury trials, civil liberties vs. court backlog
• (25:41) Denmark ends letter delivery—state tradition versus digital modernity
• (30:21–37:22) Barcelona’s culture, events, and sustainable tourism vision

Tone & Style

The conversation is lively, at times wryly humorous, with Andrew Muller’s signature dry wit. The panelists provide sober, informed analysis but often with a personal or human angle—whether it’s about the perils of European defense, the nostalgia for Christmas cards, or the excitement of cultural heritage in Barcelona.

Summary prepared for readers seeking a comprehensive, engaging overview of this edition of The Monocle Daily – without advertisements, musical interludes, or irrelevant banter.