Are Trump and Putin carving up the world? How should the EU adapt to this new world? What imagination is needed on the political left? Today we’re joined by Frans Timmermans to find out. 00:00 Never wrestle with a pig – Bill Clinton advice on populists 01:04 Introduction – Who is Frans Timmermans? 02:09 The global context: Trump, Ukraine, and European uncertainty 03:59 Why diplomats failed to foresee collapse of USSR and rise of populism 05:04 Europe's hubris post-1989 and the mistake of tying Russia into EU energy 07:11 The EU enlargement miracle of 2004 – and why it stalled 08:47 Cultural and political tensions between old and new EU member states 10:48 How the Polish plumber backlash led to EU disillusionment 12:13 Can enlargement be revived? Ukraine, Georgia, and the Balkans 13:48 Timmermans vs Hungary – court battles and political decline of Orbán 15:02 Why the Western Balkans and Caucasus matter for European security 17:20 Brexit’s devastating impact on Europe’s global influence 18:49 What the EU should offer the UK to rebuild closer ties 20:37 Trump’s potential Ukraine “deal” and worst-case scenario for Europe 23:00 Why Europe must act fast to support Ukraine and deter Russia 24:35 Trump’s worldview – carving up the world like gang territories 27:29 The importance of a united EU front and lessons from Merkel and Juncker 30:07 Why Timmermans speaks frankly – urgency and personal transformation 32:00 Public attacks, surgery, and political resilience 33:10 Populist pressures vs staying authentic – Timmermans' personal strategy 35:37 Why populists are winning: elites, inequality, and economic injustice 37:34 The left must fix structural injustice – beyond technocracy 39:05 The need to tax footloose global conglomerates and regulate Big Tech 40:56 How Geert Wilders upended Dutch politics – and the center-right's mistake 43:55 Germany, Belgium, and lessons for fighting the far-right 45:28 What Americans and Brits must understand about the AfD and European far-right 47:48 Advice to UK Conservatives: stop fuelling culture wars 50:43 Optimism: global south dynamism, youth, and Europe's opportunity to lead 53:43 Closing reflections – praise for Timmermans' candour and vision