Brussels Playbook Podcast

Epizode

• Week Ender: Did Europe dodge a summer travel crisis? 17.07.2026 22min

  Europeans are traveling in huge numbers this summer — but the conflict in the Middle East, volatile fuel prices linked to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, and a troubled new border system are making journeys more complicated. Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO reporters Ben Munster, Tommaso Lecca and Jordyn Dahl to unpack how Europe avoided the jet fuel crisis that many had feared; whether flight ticket prices could still rise in the coming months; what passengers are owed when things go wrong; and why the EU’s new Entry/Exit System is producing such long queues. Plus, we’d love to hear your summer reading recommendations. Anything goes: politics, crime, romance, non-fiction, poetry and more. We’ll feature some of your suggestions in a future episode. Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. You can also email us at podcast@politico.eu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Parliament takes a break. The plotting begins. 16.07.2026 17min

  The European Parliament’s 719 lawmakers are about to head off on their six-week summer break. But that doesn’t mean an end to the political headaches.   That’s because as soon as they return on Aug. 31, lawmakers will dive straight back into backroom negotiations ahead of Parliament’s big midterm reshuffle. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss the scheming already happening behind the scenes. Next: Europe wants to restrict children’s use of social media — much like Australia. But does the implementation of Canberra’s ban serve as a warning or a trailblazer? Zoya speaks with the Aussie eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, to learn more. And finally, it seems the EU’s new digital border system can’t tell identical twins apart. We dig deeper. … And we talk about monkeys again. Do you have a monkey story? Send us a message or voice note to our WhatsApp 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 border that vanished overnight 15.07.2026 15min

  European allies are moving to help strengthen Ukraine as Kyiv ups the pressure in its war against Russia. As a part of that push, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and a group of EU leaders are making a surprise trip to Kyiv to push through a string of new defense initiatives. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss these packages set to be announced today. Next: As of today you can walk from Spain into the British territory of Gibraltar and barely notice you’ve crossed a border. We take a look at one of the loose ends of Brexit that is finally being tied up. Lastly, we all know Brussels is a political hub ... but could it become an academic one as well? French university Sciences Po is considering opening a campus in Brussels to help train the next generation of eurocrats. 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
• A 'Super Tuesday' for a bigger EU 14.07.2026 17min

  Enlargement is high on the list of priorities for the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU ... and Dublin is not wasting any time. On the sidelines of the EU’s General Affairs Council happening today, there will be four separate accession conferences: for Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro — to formally mark progress in their membership bids. Ireland’s Europe Minister Thomas Byrne said it’s the largest number of accession meetings held on a single day since 2002. Next: The European Commission is undertaking its first major workplace overhaul in two decades. Piotr Serafin, the commissioner responsible for human resources, presented a first set of reforms on Monday. But not everyone is happy with how the EU executive is handling this shake-up. Lastly, did you know that a baby born in the EU today can expect to live to roughly 81.5 years? A new report on demographics from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre released today reveals some surprising details about European demographic challenges. 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
• Why Europe still can’t agree on Israel 13.07.2026 15min

  EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels as a growing group of countries push the European Commission to propose restrictions on trade with illegal Israeli settlements. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur explain why although the economic impact would be small, the legal and political stakes are far larger — and why critics accuse Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of dragging her feet. Then, Ukraine’s Coalition of the Willing gathers in Paris the same day as Kyiv urges its allies to press their advantage over Russia before the winter. And finally, von der Leyen receives expert recommendations on protecting children from social media — as Europe debates age limits, platform responsibility and whether bans would work at all. 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
• Week Ender: Why Europe can’t avoid Erdogan 10.07.2026 42min

  This week, NATO leaders gathered in Ankara — giving President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan a powerful stage at a moment when Turkey’s strategic value to Europe is rising. Sarah Wheaton speaks to Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, about Erdoğan’s moment at this week’s NATO summit, Turkey’s complicated relationship with Europe and the United States, and whether the EU can build a serious partnership with Ankara while still confronting its crackdown on political opposition and free media. Then, author and POLITICO contributor John Kampfner joins the show to discuss his new book, “Braver New World” — and what Europe can learn from places that have found unusually good answers to big problems, from Vienna’s housing model to Finland’s schools and Estonia’s digital state. And since we’re book nerds, we’d love to hear your recommendations for summer reads; we’ll feature some of them in a future episode. Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here, or at +32 491 05 06 29. You can also email us at podcast@politico.eu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Brussels gives cows a promotion 09.07.2026 15min

  Far-right National Rally’s Marine Le Pen has announced she’ll run in the 2027 French presidential election, following Tuesday's shock court ruling which cleared the way for her to do so. But what does that mean for Europe? On Tuesday, a Paris appeals court upheld Le Pen’s guilty verdict but reduced the amount of time she’s banned from holding public office. That means she can run — but under house arrest, with electronic monitoring. On the show, we unpack what Brussels makes of all this. Also on the show, Europe’s cows now have a new job title: critical infrastructure. The Commission’s new livestock strategy frames livestock as crucial for strategic autonomy and even preparedness. But what does that mean for climate concerns? Finally: Russian athletes could be allowed to compete in the 2028 Olympics — and EU politicians aren’t happy about it. 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
• NATO’s boss says Trump was right 08.07.2026 17min

  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 07.07.2026 15min

  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 06.07.2026 16min

  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? 05.07.2026 30min

  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 DrütenProduction: 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? 03.07.2026 32min

  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? 02.07.2026 15min

  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 01.07.2026 21min

  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 30.06.2026 15min

  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 29.06.2026 16min

  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? 26.06.2026 41min

  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
• Rebuilding Ukraine under the shadow of a presidential row 25.06.2026 16min

  Ukraine’s allies are gathering in Gdańsk to talk about rebuilding the country — even as Russia continues to destroy homes, power stations and critical infrastructure. Zoya Sheftalovich reports from the Ukraine Recovery Conference, where governments, banks and businesses are trying to turn political promises into real investment. She and Sarah Wheaton look at the money on the table, Poland’s hopes of playing a major role in the reconstruction effort and the diplomatic row between Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who stayed away from the conference as tensions escalated. Plus: Why some European fossil fuel companies could still appear in investment funds marketed as supporting the green transition — and why the European Council wants influencers at EU summits, but only if their content does not go against “EU values.” Questions? Comments? Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. On June 30, we’re celebrating 100 episodes of the Brussels Playbook Podcast. Do you want to attend a live taping? Click here to register for a chance to apply!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Can Europe’s big five get their act together in Berlin? 24.06.2026 15min

  Europe’s biggest military powers are meeting today. The group of countries is called the E5 (not to be confused with the E3) and consists of France, Germany, the U.K., Italy and Poland. They’ll be preparing for the NATO summit next month and discussing support for Ukraine. Hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss what smaller meeting formats like this mean for the EU as a whole. Also on the show, we discuss the new EU agreement on migrant return laws. Under the new rules, people ordered to leave EU territory could be transferred to detention centers in countries outside the bloc. It’s a highly contentious plan, but it’s moving ahead at a fast pace, with countries already floating potential countries to house these so-called “return hubs.” And finally, we’ve spoken on the show before about the heatwave that’s hit Europe. Now we dig into a story by senior climate reporter Zia Weise on why it’s so warm. Questions? Comments? Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. On June 30, we’re celebrating 100 episodes of the Brussels Playbook Podcast. Do you want to attend a live taping? Click here to register for a chance to apply!  This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• The Visegrád Four is back from the dead 23.06.2026 15min

  The leaders of Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary are gathering for the first proper Visegrád Group summit in more than two years. Meetings of these four countries have essentially been frozen since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine — in large part because of former PM Viktor Orbán. With the Hungarian leader’s ouster, the format is back, but can the group actually work together? Plus, we’re checking on the U.K., where Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned yesterday and looks likely to be replaced by former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham. But what does this transfer of power mean for EU-U.K. relations? We take a deeper look. And finally, as of July 1, people working at the European Parliament will be given more days to work from another country each year — from five to 10. It’s good news for any staffers who were jealous of the Commission’s generous work-from-abroad policies. What do you think about working from another country? Do you like it or do you struggle to get anything done? Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. On June 30, we’re celebrating 100 episodes of the Brussels Playbook Podcast. Do you want to attend a live taping? Click here to register for a chance to apply!  This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices