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.
251
NATO summit — Swedish, Norwegian and Estonian P...
Coming to you from the NATO summit in Madrid, our POLITICO team analyzes a packed week in international diplomacy and what it means for Europe and its security. We also hear from the prime ministers of Sweden, Norway and Estonia.
36 min
252
Ukraine on EU membership path — Balkan backlas...
Coming to you from the EU leaders' summit in the heart of Brussels, we discuss Ukraine's candidacy to join the club and the lack of progress for EU-hopefuls in the Western Balkans.
32 min
253
Ukraine impact — Panel-speak, decoded — Poets' ...
We explore more repercussions of the war in Ukraine, explain the latest dust-up between the U.K. and the EU and unpack the patois of political panel discussions. Our special guest is retired British diplomat and author John Ramsden.
36 min
254
Merkel's return — Poland pushback — US NATO amb...
We break down the controversy over a plan to unlock billions of euros in EU funds for Poland and debate Angela Merkel's return to the public arena. Our special guest is Julianne Smith, the U.S. ambassador to NATO.
32 min
255
Russian oil ban — Hungarian hold-up — EU 'ghost...
We unpack EU leaders' deal to ban Russian oil imports — with some notable exceptions after Hungary played hardball. And author Tommaso Pavone tells the story of the lawyers who turned "ghostwriters" to make the EU a legal reality.
37 min
256
Scholz on Ukraine — COVID update — Food waste s...
This special edition of EU Confidential from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland drills into the question of whether the EU is really ready for a forceful response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
37 min
257
Death of globalization? — EU expansion — Women ...
This bumper edition of Davos Confidential includes a debate on the death of globalization, the prospects of more countries joining the European Union and an insider's take on the role of women at the World Economic Forum.
41 min
258
Russian oil sanctions — Stagflation fears — Cry...
We hear exclusively from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the chance of clinching a sixth package of EU sanctions, and from experts on Russia and the latest trends in the financial world.
39 min
259
Zelenskyy chides global elite — Trust troubles ...
This episode comes to you from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland — featuring participants from business, government and the non-profit sectors.
39 min
260
Nordic NATO bids — Commission half-time report ...
Commission's performance so far, and hear from Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly on relations with the EU and more.
38 min
261
Future of Europe — Macron in Berlin — Voices fr...
We debate some big ideas for the future of Europe and examine the state of Franco-German ties after recently-reelected French President Emmanuel Macron's trip to Berlin. We also hear from Ukrainian officials and the EU's ambassador in Kyiv.
34 min
262
EU's Russian oil ban — Steinmeier snub saga — 2...
We unpack the EU plan to ban Russian oil and wonder why Germany is so hung up on Ukraine's refusal to let German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visit Kyiv. Our special guest is Cambridge Professor Helen Thompson.
34 min
263
Macron 2.0 — Brussels vs. Budapest — Climate ch...
We take the long view on the success of Emmanuel Macron and the rise of Marine Le Pen, unpack an EU move that could cut funds to Hungary for failing to uphold the rule of law and dive into the impact of climate change on Spanish politics.
40 min
264
Special edition: Macron beats Le Pen in French ...
In this special edition, we analyze the result of the French presidential election and its implications for France and for Europe.
26 min
265
Macron and Le Pen debate — Germany's Ukraine we...
We review the big clash between French presidential contenders Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen.
34 min
266
French election round 2 – Slovakian PM in Ukrai...
We analyze the latest from the French presidential campaign and hear Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger's first-hand account of his visit to Ukraine.
34 min
267
Special edition: French presidential election f...
In this special edition, we unpack the results of the first round of the French presidential election, which saw Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen qualify for a run-off vote on April 24.
26 min
268
French election preview — Orbán's victory — Tra...
We preview this Sunday's presidential vote in France, discuss the latest Western responses to Russia's war in Ukraine and reflect on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's reelection.
38 min
269
Brussels after Biden — Hungarian election — Wor...
We recap Joe Biden's visit to Brussels for a series of summits focused on the war in Ukraine and get you up to speed on Hungary's election this weekend.
33 min
270
Biden's Brussels summits — Sanctions stalemate ...
We dive into the issues at the center of three Brussels summits dominated by Russia's war in Ukraine, as Joe Biden meets with leaders of NATO, the EU and the G7. Our special guest is Ukrainian novelist and thinker Andriy Kurkov.
33 min
271
China's role in Ukraine — Wartime leaders — Ref...
This week we examine China's role in the Ukraine crisis and unpack the latest EU efforts to bring the war to an end. We also hear how organizations like the UN Refugee Agency are supporting Ukrainian refugees.
35 min
272
Russia's repression — Ukraine jet confusion — B...
In this episode, we learn how the war in Ukraine is being reported inside Russia and unpack the confusion over whether Poland will supply fighter jets to the Ukrainian government.
38 min
273
Europe's historic shift on Russia — Inside the ...
In this extended episode, we recap and reflect on the week that changed everything, for Europe and the world, after Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
48 min
274
Russia's war on Ukraine: European reaction and ...
This episode focuses entirely on Russia's war on Ukraine. We have reporting from inside Ukraine, news of the European response and analysis of the global repercussions.
38 min
275
Moscow's mixed messages — Ukraine's Unity Day —...
We hear from our reporters in Moscow and Kyiv about the continued tensions over Ukraine. Our special guest is Heather Conley, the new president of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, on transatlantic ties and relations with Russia.
36 min