Brussels Playbook Podcast
POLITICO
300 episodes
POLITICO’s daily audio briefing on what’s moving Brussels — and why it matters.
More about the show
The Brussels Playbook Podcast is the audio extension of the Brussels Playbook newsletter. Hosted by POLITICO's chief EU correspondent, Zoya Sheftalovich, the podcast runs Monday through Thursday, offering a clear, reporting-driven guide to EU politics in under 15 minutes. It’s a perfect companion for your morning coffee.
Each episode takes listeners inside the decisions, power shifts and debates shaping the day in Brussels — and explains how they connect to national capitals across Europe.
Clear, conversational and shaped by reporting from the heart of the EU, the Brussels Playbook Podcast brings context to EU politics as your day begins.
On Fridays, the same feed features a longer episode that goes deeper into the week’s biggest themes, offering context and analysis beyond the daily news cycle — with Sarah Wheaton behind the mic.
Episodes page 1 of 6
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Inside von der Leyen's Commission shake-up
Ursula von der Leyen’s plan to slim down and reorganize the European Commission moves a step closer, with outside advisers calling for a stronger center, fewer bureaucratic silos and potentially far-reaching changes to…
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It’s complicated: The status of EU-Canada relations
Canada and the EU want a much closer relationship — but they still disagree over what that relationship actually is. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur look ahead to this week’s EU-Canada summit in Montreal, where…
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Can Europe save the world's war crimes court from Trump?
U.S. President Donald Trump has the world’s war crimes court in his crosshairs. By sanctioning the entire International Criminal Court, his administration is threatening its ability to function. Europe has rushed to…
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Who speaks for Europe in the Ukraine peace talks?
As the U.S. pushes to revive peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, a question is causing tensions in Brussels: Who actually speaks for the EU? Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton examine the growing influence of…
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Brussels goes looking for billions to fund Ukraine
With Washington's support for Kyiv increasingly uncertain, Brussels is looking to its allies to help keep Ukraine afloat. The price tag: €70 billion. On today's show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson discuss how…
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Macron and Merz edge closer to a budget deal
The Arctic is becoming a geopolitical battleground — and the EU wants a bigger role. The European Commission is unveiling a new strategy focused on security, as Russia builds up its military presence, China explores…
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Trump's Russia rethink — and Europe's response
Donald Trump’s latest moves on Russia and Ukraine have alarmed Kyiv and European capitals alike. But rather than scrambling to contain the fallout, EU leaders are keeping their cool. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur…
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EU summit runs out of gas
It's been a packed agenda at the European Council summit, with little sign of progress on key issues. EU leaders continued to argue over the bloc's long-term budget, with energy supply and security taking up much of…
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EU leaders face off over the budget
EU leaders meet today for their first chance to beef about the budget face to face. On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton dive deeper into why leaders look increasingly unlikely to reach an agreement on the…
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Europe's development aid dilemma
The Commission is grappling with two goals that may be counterproductive: cutting migration and slashing development aid. The EU executive’s argument is that a slash in development funding will likely result in people…
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The Ceuta fears shaping Spain’s election
As the United States looks towards Russia for diesel, European leaders are doubling down on their support for Ukraine. On the show, hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart unpack all the ways the EU plans to put its…
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The EU budget battle just got nastier
Germany has rejected Ireland's proposal for the EU's next seven-year budget, despite €159 billion in cuts. And it's not alone: Governments are divided over where the cuts should fall, while the European Parliament is…
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Is the EU ready for the next pandemic?
Five years after the height of the Covid pandemic, how much better prepared is the EU for the next health crisis? Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO health reporter Helen Collis and global health expert Michel…
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Can Europe finally get tough on China?
Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is kicking off his visit to China today — and the stakes are high. On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss the most important topic on the agenda: Europe’s trade…
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Behind closed doors, Europe braces for a deadly attack
Russia’s hybrid attacks across Europe — cyberattacks, sabotage, drone incursions — have been ramping up in recent months. But European governments are quietly preparing for something much worse. On today’s show, Zoya…
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How Spain's snap election could blow up Brussels
Spain’s snap election is poised to upend not just domestic politics ... but EU politics, too. On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart break down all the far-reaching impact the tumult in Madrid could have…
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The race for the EU’s plum diplomatic jobs begins
The race for some of the EU’s most coveted diplomatic jobs is under way. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur unpack why this year’s routine EEAS rotation is attracting unusually strong interest from senior Commission…
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Russia's not-quite-war on Europe
Europe’s gray-zone war with Russia is getting harder to ignore. Sarah Wheaton speaks to security expert and author Elisabeth Braw about how Europe should respond as sabotage, arson, cyberattacks and attacks on…
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The €865 billion brainstorming session
Ukraine’s prime minister is warning of a $20 billion defense funding gap as Russia intensifies its attacks and Kyiv struggles to protect its skies and keep the country running. Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton look…
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Is Bardella too toxic for Le Pen’s campaign?
Ursula von der Leyen is heading on her annual tour of the Western Balkans to visit some of the countries in line to join the EU. But Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia, two accession hopefuls, are not on the itinerary.…
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Trump, diesel and Europe's new energy squeeze
Another surge in energy prices risks making life even more expensive for Europeans — especially once winter rolls around. So when EU energy ministers meet in Dublin today, affordability will be at the top of their…
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SPONSORED EPISODE: What is polyester worth?
As ultra-fast fashion has gotten cheaper, textiles have become disposable to many Europeans. The average EU consumer purchased 95 articles of textiles last year — an increase of 12 percent since 2019. Europe now…
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A new era for European defense?
Europe’s defense ministers are meeting today to discuss whether the EU needs its own version of NATO’s article 4. This so-called Emergency Security Protocol would allow capitals to bring together all EU countries in…
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The Pope is fretting about frontier AI — what’s the EU’s answer?
European lawmakers this week called for the EU’s artificial intelligence regulations to hold American tech companies liable for the risks their most advanced models pose to humanity. But how much sway does Europe have…
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Russia's untouchable tycoons
Europe breathed a sigh of relief after finally agreeing on a new Russia sanctions list. But attention is turning to the compromise that got it over the line: dropping two Russian billionaires. On the show, hosts Zoya…
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A power struggle in Brussels — and our big reveal
Today’s episode was recorded in front of an audience at our Brussels Playbook Live event. On the show, hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart spotlight Cristina Lobillo Borrero, Ursula von der Leyen’s new senior…
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Is this how the Greenland crisis ends?
The U.N. General Assembly is in full swing over in New York, and the agenda is packed. But perhaps the most pressing item will take place on the sidelines of the gathering, as Denmark, the U.S. and Greenland prepare…
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Merz’s election nightmare continues
Two state elections pile more pressure on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — raising fresh questions about his leadership and what a weaker Germany could mean for the rest of Europe. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur…
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Week Ender: Can Europe patch up the world in disorder?
The old global order is breaking down. Ursula von der Leyen thinks Europe may have to start building something new around it. In her State of the European Union speech, she floated closer ties with Canada — even…
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Von der Leyen makes it awkward with Canada
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney takes the stage in Strasbourg after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen surprised EU capitals by floating “associate membership” for Canada — a status that doesn’t actually…
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Special episode: State of the EU 2026 — promises vs reality
In this special episode from Strasbourg, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart give their first take on the State of the European Union speech delivered by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They look at the push…
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AI fears grow as von der Leyen takes the stage
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is giving her State of the European Union address this morning ... her biggest set-piece speech of the year. Host Zoya Sheftalovich is at the European Parliament in Strasbourg…
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Can less paperwork get EU workers moving?
Why is it easier for a jar of peanut butter to cross EU borders than it is for a European worker? According to the Commission, varying social security systems and professional qualifications make it hard for Europeans…
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The EU’s plan for ‘weaponized’ migration
When Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives her big State of the European Union speech on Wednesday, the topic of migration is likely to feature heavily. On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur…
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Is Europe winning the ‘fight’? Von der Leyen’s SOTEU, one year on
When Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her State of the European Union speech last year, the backdrop was chaotic. Russian drones had just crossed into Polish airspace, Donald Trump was casting doubt…
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Behind Trump's push to break the International Criminal Court
The U.S. is on a public campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court. Now, it wants help from its NATO allies. During a closed-door meeting back in July, U.S. envoy to NATO Matthew Whitaker asked allied…
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The EU’s Israel dilemma
Relations between the EU and Israel have been deeply strained over the war in Gaza. But the bloc is struggling to withstand the allure of Israel’s tech and missile defense prowess. On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich…
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Kaja Kallas takes another hit
The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, wanted a group of heavyweight former leaders to come up with fresh ideas to address Europe’s defense gaps. Instead, the initiative was killed before it even launched. Zoya…
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Germany's far-right bombshell
After a sweeping victory in the regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund's Alternative for Germany (AfD) could be in a position to govern the state — putting a far-right party in power in part of Germany…
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What do Spain's migrant crisis and Germany's knife-edge election mean for Europe?
The Spanish exclave of Ceuta on the North African coast is struggling to deal with a surge of unauthorized migrants. Over 70,000 arrived in a mass crossing from Morocco at the end of July, and although the numbers have…
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Dublin tests Europe's budget red lines
At the informal General Affairs Council in Dublin today, the EU’s next 7-year budget is set to dominate the agenda. The talks are still in deadlock over the size of the money pot ... but the red lines of various…
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The plan to shut out Europe's far right
The political center in the European Parliament is looking increasingly fragile. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart look at a proposal from two senior German MEPs for the center-right EPP and the Social Democrats to…
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Europe gears up for its China counterpunch
Brussels is getting increasingly worried about its economic relationship with Beijing ... but the bloc doesn’t want to bring out the big guns just yet. While the EU already has the infamous 'trade bazooka' at its…
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What Iceland's 'no' means for the EU
Iceland has voted no to restarting membership talks with the EU in a referendum held over the weekend. While the yes camp had hoped rising global geopolitical tensions might sway voters, the fear of losing control…
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Could Orbán lead Hungary again?
For 16 years, Viktor Orbán exerted an iron grip on Hungarian politics and society. Now it’s being dismantled. Has Hungary finally turned a page on the Orbán era, or could he make one final return? It’s only a few days…
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Can Canada teach Europe how to stand up to Trump?
Canada is taking a much harder line against Donald Trump — and Brussels is watching closely. As the U.S.-Canada trade war escalates, Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson look at Mark Carney’s gamble, his call for the…
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France and Germany collide over Europe’s industrial future
France and Germany are clashing over how far the EU should go to protect European industry — with Paris pushing stronger “Made in Europe” rules and Berlin warning against provoking new trade fights. Zoya Sheftalovich…
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Costa tours the capitals — while Merz rallies the penny-pinchers
António Costa is kicking off a tour of EU capitals to find out what leaders want from the bloc’s next seven-year budget — and what they might accept in return for a deal. His first stop is Bratislava, with Slovakia…
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What Ukraine needs to survive another winter
We’re back! And so are Ukraine’s key backers. On the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union, leaders meet in Kyiv this Monday to discuss new pledges of support for the country. On the…
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Week Ender archives: Is China the ‘abusive’ partner the EU just can’t quit?
The Brussels Playbook Week Ender podcast is still away on holiday — but don’t worry, we will be back next week. In the meantime, here’s an episode from earlier this year about Europe’s attempts to protect its industry…
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