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
Special episode: An exclusive interview with Ca...
In this special edition, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney sits down with POLITICO's chief EU correspondent Zoya and Ottawa bureau chief Nick Taylor-Vaisey for an exclusive interview.
32 min
2
Inside America's midterm election battle
America is heading to the polls for the midterm elections — and Europe is watching closely.
45 min
3
The great EU-Canada lovefest
European leaders are descending on Montreal in a bid to forge closer ties with Canada.
17 min
4
The Putin call dividing EU leaders
Europe's united front on Ukraine is showing cracks.
18 min
5
Inside von der Leyen's Commission shake-up
VDL’s plan to slim down the European Commission moves one step closer.
16 min
6
It’s complicated: The status of EU-Canada relat...
Canada and the EU want a much closer relationship — but they still disagree over what that relationship actually is.
16 min
7
Can Europe save the world's war crimes court fr...
Donald Trump has the International Criminal Court in his crosshairs.
28 min
8
Who speaks for Europe in the Ukraine peace talks?
As the U.S. pushes to revive Ukraine peace talks, who actually speaks for the EU?
15 min
9
Brussels goes looking for billions to fund Ukraine
Brussels is looking to its allies to help keep Ukraine afloat.
16 min
10
Macron and Merz edge closer to a budget deal
The Arctic is becoming a geopolitical battleground.
17 min
11
Trump's Russia rethink — and Europe's response
Donald Trump's latest moves on Russia and Ukraine have alarmed Kyiv and European capitals alike.
16 min
12
EU summit runs out of gas
22 min
13
EU leaders face off over the budget
EU leaders meet today for their first chance to beef about the budget face to face.
16 min
14
Europe's development aid dilemma
The Commission is grappling with two goals that may be counterproductive.
16 min
15
The Ceuta fears shaping Spain’s election
58% of Spaniards fear tensions with Morocco could spiral into an armed conflict.
16 min
16
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.
17 min
17
Is the EU ready for the next pandemic?
After Covid, how much better prepared is the EU for the next health crisis?
32 min
18
Can Europe finally get tough on China?
Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is kicking off his visit to China today — and the stakes are high.
15 min
19
Behind closed doors, Europe braces for a deadly...
European governments are quietly preparing for a deadly hybrid attack.
18 min
20
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.
15 min
21
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.
15 min
22
Russia's not-quite-war on Europe
Europe’s gray-zone war with Russia is getting harder to ignore.
33 min
23
The €865 billion brainstorming session
EU capitals and the Commission kick off a two-day brainstorming session on how a huge chunk of the next budget should work.
15 min
24
Is Bardella too toxic for Le Pen’s campaign?
Are these recent antisemitism allegations enough to make a dent in Marine Le Pen’s presidential campaign?
15 min
25
Trump, diesel and Europe's new energy squeeze
Another surge in energy prices risks making life even more expensive.
14 min