Brussels Playbook Podcast

Latest Episodes:

NATO’s boss says Trump was right Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

The European Union is in disagreement over whether the Commission should allow Serbia to progress in its membership process.

The issue will come to a head at a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels today. While the Commission argues that dangling accession in front of prospective members is a useful geopolitical tool that can prevent countries from turning towards rival powers, some countries in the bloc aren’t convinced. Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson unpack the debate.

Also on the show, at the sidelines of the NATO summit happening in Ankara, our colleague Dasha Burns, host of POLITICO’s The Conversation podcast, sat down with the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. His main message? Donald Trump was right.

Finally, the European Anti-Fraud Office is warning that fake condoms are making their way into the bloc.

Questions? Comments? Send us a message or voice note to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The verdict that could shake up French politics Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

Europe is on the edge of its seat as it awaits a crucial verdict in the case of France’s National Rally leader, Marine Le Pen, today.

If the Paris appeals court upholds her five-year ban on holding public office, Le Pen’s dream of running in 2027 will be dashed, and the campaign of her 30-year-old protégé, Jordan Bardella, will officially kick off.

Also on the show, NATO allies are meeting in Ankara with one goal: avoiding a Donald Trump blow-up. To placate the U.S. president, they’re keeping the meeting short and focusing on big spending numbers.

Finally, the EU’s Entry/Exit System has been causing a bit of a fiasco at the bloc’s borders ... and it seems the Commission is finally willing to admit it. So what now?

Have you experienced long queues while traveling because of the new Entry/Exit System? Send us a message or voice note to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The man behind the EU's Kremlin outreach Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

On today’s episode, we take a closer look at the busy life of António Costa’s right-hand man, Pedro Lourtie.

The European Council President’s head of cabinet was recently thrust into the limelight for opening backchannels with Moscow on his boss’s behalf. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur dig deeper into who this man is and how he does his job.

Also on the show: European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is asking lawmakers to vote again on a bill to fight child sexual abuse material — even though it was rejected by MEPs in March. To do this, she’s relying on a rarely used EU procedure.

Finally: The allegations that a Hungarian spy ring was operating out of the country’s embassy in Brussels was big news in town last year. We’ve gotten our hands on a document from the investigation.

Question? Comment? Send it along as a message or voice note to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonus episode: Ernstfall — What if Russia attacks NATO? Jul 05, 2026

Show notes

Today, we’re bringing you a special bonus episode from our colleagues at WELT.

Originally released in German, Ernstfall is now available in English.

What if Russia attacked NATO? How would Germany respond? And where are our weaknesses?We wanted answers. In a wargame, we simulate an attack on NATO’s eastern flank. Politicians, former military officials, and experts take on the roles of the German government for a day. A second team plays the Kremlin.
The wargame triggered an international debate. It's the reason we decided to publish our results in English as well. In this five-part podcast, you'll hear a simulation of a crisis that many European leaders hope will never happen.

Script and Storytelling: Antonia Beckermann, Carolina Drüten
Production: Marvin Schwarz

Listen to the full five-part series on WELT’s website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can NATO allies avoid a clash with Trump in Ankara? Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

Despite all the backslapping and glad-handing, transatlantic tensions are never far from the surface at the annual gathering of NATO leaders. It’s unlikely to be any different when they gather in Ankara next week.

Sharp differences over burden-sharing and defense spending, and U.S. complaints about its allies’ lack of involvement in re-opening the Strait of Hormuz, are likely to come to the fore.

EU leaders hope the summit will help steady transatlantic relations, but will President Trump be in listening mode when he arrives in Turkey?

On this week’s Brussels Playbook Week Ender podcast, Peter Snowdon talks to Estonia’s Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, who is rapidly increasing his country’s defense budget and capabilities, while Anne McElvoy catches up with POLITICO’s NATO reporter Victor Jack, who has been finding out what’s happening behind the scenes at NATO headquarters.

Questions? Comments? Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has Ukraine found Russia’s weak spot? Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

Ukraine has a rare advantage over Russia … but only if its allies move fast enough to sustain it.

After months of attacks on refineries, fuel depots and supply routes, Kyiv has finally hit Russia where it hurts. Hour-long queues, empty pumps and rationing are affecting large parts of the country. The question now is whether it’s enough to actually threaten President Vladimir Putin.

Also on the show: French National Rally President Jordan Bardella’s former European Parliament group is caught up in fresh raids over alleged misuse of EU funds. Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss what it could mean for the French far right.

Finally: Europe’s most inventive minds are gathering in Berlin today for the European Inventor Award. On the shortlist? Oat milk, life-saving worms and levitating trains.

Do you have a favorite European invention? Send it along as a message or voice note to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nobody touch the farm budget — our 100th episode, live from Brussels Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

We’re celebrating 100 episodes this summer! To mark this milestone, today’s show was recorded in front of a live audience with the full lineup of our rotating podcasts hosts.

Kicking us off, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart talk about the Irish presidency that starts today. They discuss how Dublin might tackle one of Europe’s most politically dangerous budget fights: the money allocated for farmers.

Next, Zoya is joined by Nick Vinocur to discuss Ursula von der Leyen’s trip to Azerbaijan and Armenia. The EU sees a strategic opening in this region traditionally dominated by Russia — but the diplomatic outreach is not without some tension.

Finally: Kathryn Carlson joins Zoya on stage for the final segment where they discuss why shopping online might get pricier if your platforms of choice are from outside the bloc like Temu or Shein. Plus, they reminisce about their favorite silly EU stories so far.

Which stories have been your favorite? Send them along as a message or voice note to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar with help from POLITICO's live events team.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Europe’s awkward embrace of Turkey Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Three very senior EU heavyweights are on the ground in Turkey today — just days before the NATO summit in Ankara.

When EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner meet Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, security, migration, and connectivity between Europe and Central Asia will be top priorities.

Next, the EU institutions’ big recruitment competition, the AD5 entry-level administrator admissions test, is going to get even more brutal than previous iterations. We dig deeper.

And finally, last week’s heatwave hit Europe hard, but only about one in five households has air conditioning, and even the Berlaymont’s cooling system was switched off last week for technical reasons. We discuss Europe’s infrastructure problem, which is increasingly coming to the fore.

Do you have a question for Zoya and her co-hosts at our 100th episode live recording tomorrow? Send them in for a chance to hear them read out loud on stage. Find our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Europe’s foreign policy turf war Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

The EU’s diplomatic service is losing power, people and influence to Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur look at how the EEAS is fighting for its future — and whether the bloc’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, can turn it around.

Plus, Europe tries to reset trade ties with China without backing away from tougher defenses, and Greece puts a bounty on poisonous pufferfish.

And hear Finnish President Alexander Stubb on Trump, Ukraine and the future of NATO in his full interview with Dasha Burns on POLITICO’s The Conversation:

Questions? Comments? Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can Europe help repair the invisible scars of war? Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

After four and a half years of war, Ukraine’s physical destruction is easy to see. But the psychological damage caused by occupation, displacement and loss is much harder to measure — although just as urgent to repair.

David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee and a former British foreign secretary, joins Sarah Wheaton after returning from southern Ukraine. He explains why mental health support must become a central part of the country’s recovery, and why the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure — from Ukraine to Gaza, Sudan and Congo — points to a growing “new world disorder.”

As the United States retreats from humanitarian aid under Donald Trump, can Europe fill the gap — in Ukraine and beyond?

Later, as the week marks 10 years since the Brexit vote, Anne McElvoy joins Sarah to discuss the political chaos in London, what Keir Starmer’s departure means for the EU–U.K. reset, and whether Andy Burnham might be prepared to take the relationship further.

Questions? Comments? Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected