Frans Timmermans
The Diplomat
People, composure and the difficult conversation held well.
Frans Timmermans is a seasoned political leader focused on fostering unity and collaboration within Europe. This interview highlights his strategic approach to navigating complex political landscapes while advocating for a more inclusive and cohesive European Union.
“Soviet Union, when I started reporting as a young diplomat, listened, the Soviet Union is going to fall apart. Everybody was telling me, you're killing your career with these reports. It's not going to happen because it's not in their interest. And it's certainly not an in our interest.”
“And in my view, very astute politician with whom I profoundly disagree. But when I tried in a debate with his methods, he beat me so easily because he's so much better at it. And I felt really bad about myself doing this. And people could, because I have a very expressive face, people could see it that I was feeling bad about myself.”
“And Trump said of Jean Claude Juncker he's a brutal killer, literal quote, I heard him say it. You have to have this deference to a man who sees himself as a great leader or who needs the confirmation that he's a great leader.”
“As well. 1,500 casualties on the Russian side every single day. Putin is not that strong. So we need to show our strength. That's the only language he understands. I met the man for the first time when he was deputy mayor in Petersburg in 1991. So I've known him for all these years. I've seen how he develops.”
The Rest Is Politics: Leading — 122. How Europe can survive Trump (Frans Timmermans)
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