Brussels Playbook Podcast

POLITICO’s daily audio briefing on what’s moving Brussels — and why it matters.

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. 


News
Politics
News Commentary
1
Can Europe’s big five get their act together in...
Europe’s biggest military powers are meeting today.
14 min
2
The Visegrád Four is back from the dead
The leaders of Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary are gathering for the first proper Visegrád Group summit in more than two years.
15 min
3
Why tensions are high between Poland and Ukraine
When Ireland takes over the presidency of the Council of the EU, they'll have a lot of hot-button issues to deal with.
15 min
4
Who should negotiate with Putin?
33 min
5
Europe’s budget war starts now
EU leaders arrive in Brussels for a summit dominated by two major debates.
14 min
6
Von der Leyen won't run for a third term. Or wi...
Ursula von der Leyen is only a year and a half into her second term, but Brussels is already whispering about a third.
14 min
7
The end of Brussels’ most important dinner party
The fight over the EU’s next seven-year budget is heating up.
14 min
8
Bardella warns Brussels he won’t moderate
French presidential hopeful Jordan Bardella wants Brussels to know that if he reaches the Élysée, he won’t follow Italian PM Giorgia Meloni’s path from insurgent outsider to pragmatic EU power broker.
15 min
9
Are voters hopelessly divided or universally an...
Across Europe, political instability and polarization are increasingly becoming the norm
38 min
10
The US embassy's divisive birthday bash
The U.S. embassy’s mega 250th birthday bash in Brussels is drawing ire.
14 min
11
When K-pop diplomacy hits Brussels
South Korea’s president is in Brussels for the first EU-South Korea summit in three years.
15 min
12
Can Ireland defend its trade with Russia?
The EU’s top diplomat heads to Dublin today with awkward questions for Ireland.
14 min
13
Albania's 'flamingo revolution' comes to Brussels
The EU is struggling to land a new deal on consumer protections for airline passengers.
15 min
14
Can Europe quit American Big Tech?
The European Commission has finally unveiled its long-awaited tech sovereignty package
37 min
15
Is Italy's Giorgia Meloni in trouble?
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni faces an uphill battle in next year’s Italian election.
14 min
16
The jobs squeeze facing Europe
Today the Commission will publish a report that checks up on EU countries’ economies. But the news isn’t too good.
14 min
17
Who keeps the Russian shadow fleet afloat?
As the EU prepares to target Russia’s shadow fleet in the 21st sanctions package, we’re looking at the system that keeps these ships in business.
15 min
18
Europe’s toughest migration plan yet
The EU is edging closer to one of its most controversial migration policies yet: sending failed asylum seekers to return hubs outside the bloc.
15 min
19
China: the 'abusive' partner the EU just can’t ...
Is the EU finally ready to get serious about China?
38 min
20
The ban threat facing Europe's far right
Europe’s far right is yet again under the microscope.
14 min
21
Kallas, von der Leyen and the rivalry over EU i...
Brussels is beefing up its intelligence machinery.
14 min
22
Should Europe talk to Putin?
Europe is still reeling from the recent drone incursions into Baltic airspace.
14 min
23
From the Baltic to the Balkans: Putin is testin...
32 min
24
Why are drones suddenly terrifying Europe?
With drone alerts, emergency shelters and fighter jets over the Baltics, Europe’s security fears suddenly feel much less theoretical at the GLOBSEC forum in Prague.
15 min
25
Brussels wanted less red tape. It hasn't proved...
Brussels is discovering that cutting red tape may be harder without actual experts in the room.
13 min