Brussels Playbook Podcast

Wildfires raging across France and Spain have forced more than 300,000 people from their homes and stretched national firefighting services to their limits. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart look at how the EU is helping through its Civil Protection Mechanism and rescEU emergency reserve — and why Brussels says that even dozens more firefighting planes would not be enough without much greater investment in prevention. Then, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy heads to Washington amid signs that U.S. President Donald Trump and parts of the MAGA movement may be warming towards Kyiv. But will the apparent change of heart translate into sanctions against Russia and concrete military support? Plus: Could antibodies produced by llamas provide farmers with a safer alternative to chemical pesticides?Want to get in touch? 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

Icelanders begin voting on whether to restart accession talks with the European Union, reopening a debate shaped by security fears, economic uncertainty and the question of who controls the country’s fishing waters. Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson also examine Donald Trump’s threat of new tariffs after the EU fined Google €890 million, and what that could mean for the fragile Turnberry trade deal. Plus: Beethoven, Marie Skłodowska-Curie or a kingfisher? Europeans get a say on the next generation of euro banknotes. Which would you choose? 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

He’s the seventh British prime minister to walk through the famous black door of Number 10 Downing Street since the Brexit vote 10 years ago. Can Andy Burnham refresh relations with Europe and rescue a reset with Brussels that feels like it has been kicked into the long grass?  Host Anne McElvoy talks to two guests who know the knotty relationship between Britain and the European Union. Sylvie Boulard was France’s defense minister in 2017. She was previously an MEP who joined Emmanuel Macron’s En Marche party and advised him on the fallout from Brexit. Sir Simon Fraser led Britain’s Foreign Office between 2010 and 2015. He knows his way around Brussels, having served as Peter Mandelson’s chef du Cabinet when he was EU trade commissioner  and held a senior position at the British Embassy in Paris.  Now he leads the business consultancy Flint Global, where he worked with James Purnell — who’s just become Andy Burnham’s chief of staff.     Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here, or at +32 491 05 06 29. You can also email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Google could be hit with the largest fine yet under the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson explain why Brussels believes the tech giant is unfairly pushing its own services in Google Search and limiting what app developers can tell customers — and why the case is becoming another source of tension with Washington. Then, the EU’s startups commissioner, Ekaterina Zaharieva, heads to Sofia for an unusual visit to Bulgaria’s new leaders. We look at the government’s mixed signals on Ukraine, the billions in EU recovery money still at stake, and why Zaharieva’s former job as Bulgaria’s foreign minister may serve her well. And finally, Portugal’s new digital exam-marking system leaves thousands of would-be university students waiting to find out whether their grades are correct. Are students where you live also having trouble with exam results or university applications? Let us know what’s happening. 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

Today is a make-or-break moment for the EU’s 21st sanctions package targeting Russia. After EU countries failed to agree on the ins and outs of the deal last week, ambassadors are meeting again today in Brussels to finally clinch the deal. But can they hash out the remaining thorny issues? Next: European Parliament is trying to reengage with China after a seven-year diplomatic freeze. But despite the defrosting of relations, it’s clear lawmakers are unsure of what their stance towards Beijing should be. And finally, as Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” hits cinemas, a Hollywood culture war hits Greece.  Do you have a Hollywood trope about a specific European country that grinds your gears? Let us know! Send us a message or voice note to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. And for those intrigued about the new monkey species with Ian Wishart’s hairstyle found hiding in the DR Congo’s forests, you can read more here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 21 is a national holiday in Belgium, so we decided to do things a bit differently on this long weekend. We recently celebrated our 100th episode with a live recording in front of an audience. Those in the room were lucky enough also to see an exclusive Q&A with Zoya and all the hosts. We’re now bringing that segment to our wider audience. In this episode we answer your questions on everything from technology to how the show gets made ... and all the spicy bits that get left on the cutting room floor. Do you have a question for Zoya and the gang? Don’t hesitate to send 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

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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

When Ireland takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, they will have a lot of hot-button issues to deal with. Host Zoya Sheftalovich sat down last week with Irish Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne at a POLITICO event to dig deeper into what he believes Dublin’s top priorities will be. We’ll hear from him on the show. Plus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may be heading to Poland this week as tensions heat up between Kyiv and Warsaw. We dig deeper into why a tragic event from decades ago is still causing strain between the two countries today. And finally, Europe’s hot ... real hot. As a heatwave hits the continent, Nick and Zoya desperately search for ways to stay cool. 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

Brussels Playbook Week Ender host Sarah Wheaton is on the ground at the European Council summit, where divisions over European Council President António Costa's outreach to the Kremlin divided leaders and dominated an evening that was supposed to be devoted to confronting the trade deficit with China. Chief EU Correspondent Zoya Sheftalovich, trade reporter Carlo Martuscelli, Berlin correspondent Nette Nöstlinger and Senior Defense Correspondent Jacopo Barigazzi break down the divisions and look ahead to how next year's elections affect today's talks. Also this week, Anne McElvoy brings together two leading figures to reflect on the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum and where the EU-U.K. relationship may go next. Jeremy Hunt was a close Cabinet colleague of David Cameron and became the U.K.'s foreign secretary and chancellor in the years after the vote. He’s just written "Can We Be Rich Again?," which is about Britain’s economic problems since Brexit. Peter Altmaier was Angela Merkel’s right-hand man as head of the German Chancellery and served as her finance and economy minister during the fraught Brexit negotiations between the EU27 and the UK.  If you have 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

EU leaders arrive in Brussels for a summit dominated by two major debates: How far Europe should go in confronting China and how the bloc should shape its next long-term budget. Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton break down the tougher mood toward Beijing, the divisions among capitals and the battle over what Europe should spend its money on. Then, they meet the four new heads of government taking their seats around the European Council table — and assess who could become the next ally, wildcard or obstacle on Ukraine, sanctions and Israel. And finally, inside the Commission’s enlargement department, officials are turning to a homegrown AI tool to help check whether aspiring EU members are bringing their laws into line with the bloc’s rules. Do you have a story about using AI for your work and it all going terribly wrong ... or maybe terribly right? Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Plus: 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

Ursula von der Leyen is only a year and a half into her second term, but Brussels is already whispering about a third. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart examine what is fueling the speculation — from her sweeping overhaul of the European Commission to concerns that more power is being concentrated at the top. Then, they explain why the U.S.-Iran peace deal has brought down oil and gas prices, but has not ended Europe’s energy worries. And they take a first look at W, a new “made in Europe” social media platform hoping to challenge X with verified users, European data hosting and no bots. Questions? Comments? Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Plus: On June 30th, 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

The fight over the EU’s next seven-year budget is heating up. European affairs ministers are meeting in Luxembourg today to discuss the cash pot. Last week, the Cypriot presidency came up with concrete figures … but the backlash was almost immediate. Zoya and Ian discuss the main sticking points. Next, one of the most useful diplomatic gatherings in Brussels for years has been the exclusive dinners organized at the U.S. ambassador to the EU’s residence in Uccle. Now, these intimate meetings are disappearing and diplomats are feeling their absence. Lastly, things aren’t looking good for MCC Brussels, a think tank linked to former prime minister Viktor Orbán. The timing is awkward as the former leader comes to town this week. This summer, 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!  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

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. POLITICO’s Marion Solletty joins Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur to discuss her wide-ranging interview with the far-right leader — including his plans to confront the EU, his pitch to French voters, and what his rise could mean for Europe. Then, Zoya and Nick preview the G7 summit in Évian, where Emmanuel Macron’s challenge is to keep Donald Trump engaged as leaders discuss China, Ukraine and the Middle East. Plus: Brussels is banning shared e-scooters from 2027. Nick feels it’s a terrible idea — what do you think? 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

Across Europe, political instability, fragmentation and polarization are increasingly becoming the norm. But how are governments tackling these tensions? On this episode of the Brussels Playbook Week Ender, host Sarah Wheaton and her guests hone in on three countries: France, Greece and Denmark. Dialing in from Paris and Athens are our colleagues Clea Caulcutt and Nektaria Stamouli, and Jakob Moroza-Rasmussen, former secretary general of the centrist ALDE European political party, joins Sarah in the studio where he talks about his native Denmark. From the EU farm funds scandal in Greece, to the upcoming 2027 presidential election in France and Denmark’s new coalition government, they unpack the biggest news stories from each capital. While every country faces different challenges, they also reveal larger trends shaping the EU. If you have comments, do 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

The U.S. embassy’s mega 250th birthday bash in Brussels is one of the most sought-after events for the city’s top brass ... but it’s also drawing ire. Today on the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss why MEPs and environmental activists are growing increasingly frustrated with this American July 4th celebration. The event is set to be attended by 5,000 people and will shut down the public Cinquantenaire park for up to 36 hours. Also on the show, we got our hands on the spending figures of lobby groups in the EU capital. Which country doles out the most cash to influence policymaking? We break it down. And finally: The FIFA World Cup officially kicks off today, so we ranked the tournament’s countries by metrics other than footie. If you have comments, do 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

South Korea’s president is in Brussels for the first EU-South Korea summit in three years — a visit that starts with K-pop diplomacy but quickly moves to chips, trade, defense and China. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart look at why Seoul has become such an important partner for Europe and why South Korea’s role in Europe’s rearmament push is also politically awkward. The due also discuss Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tightening her grip on another strategic file: defense. We unpack how the EU’s new Security Strategy is being shaped inside the Berlaymont, why the diplomatic service is being pushed to the margins and why capitals are watching closely. And finally: With the World Cup about to kick off, Brussels has its own football drama. The European Parliament’s annual football cup has produced coalition teams, fair-play penalties and now a handshake row between the Greens and the ECR. If you have comments, do send us a voice note or a message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, heads to Dublin today with awkward questions for Ireland. The country is facing increased scrutiny over the fact that a Russian-owned refinery on Irish soil continues exporting alumina to Russia — a raw material that can feed Moscow’s industrial and military supply chains. The timing is especially awkward since Dublin is preparing to take over the EU’s rotating Council presidency. Also on the show, smart glasses are moving from sci-fi gadget to Brussels privacy headache. Are Europe’s rules ready for cameras people can wear on their faces? And finally: A festival to celebrate the Commission’s New European Bauhaus initiative kicks off today. We explain what inflatable heads have to do with it. Do you have smart glasses that you use for non-nefarious purposes? We’d love to hear more about aboveboard use cases. Message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The EU is struggling to land a new deal on consumer protections for airline passengers. After a week of intense negotiations that ultimately failed, transport ministers are meeting today to discuss the current state of play. The main sticking points: rules on compensation for delayed flights and the ease of filing these compensation claims. Also on the show, the far-right National Rally is leading the polls for France’s presidential election next year. But in relation to the EU, would this traditionally euroskeptic party end up following a pragmatic route like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, or a more obstructionist stance in line with former Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán? Nick and Zoya discuss. And finally: The ‘flamingo revolution’ has come to Brussels — both in terms of protesters on the streets and responses from the Commission. We discuss how these protests have turned from anger over real estate mogul Jared Kushner’s plans to build a luxury resort on the habitat of flamingos to something deeper. What rules would you like to see enforced for airline passengers? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The European Commission has finally unveiled its long-awaited tech sovereignty package — a push to make Europe less dependent on foreign technology after years of relying on U.S. cloud services, chips, AI infrastructure and digital tools. Sarah Wheaton is joined by former MEP Marietje Schaake, author of The Tech Coup and POLITICO’s Laurens Cerulus to ask what happens when the systems running Europe’s schools, ministries, banks, businesses and security are controlled elsewhere. They also discuss whether Brussels can build real alternatives or simply learn to manage its dependence better. If you have questions or comments — or if you’ve tried switching from U.S. tech to European alternatives — send us a message. Or even better, send us a voice note on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a slowing economy, soaring energy costs and mounting pressure on defense spending, PM Giorgia Meloni faces an uphill battle in next year’s Italian election. Amid all this, Zoya and Ian discuss how a recent European Commission decision to exempt certain green investments from its public-spending rules is a small win for the Italian leader. They dig deeper into the thought process behind this move from the EU executive. Also on the show, we break down some of the recent developments as Brussels tightens the screws on Moscow. One of the updates is that ministers from 11 countries are calling for restrictions on the number of EU tourist visas issued to Russian nationals. And finally: What on earth is a Spritz Misto? We uncover the mystery of a cocktail that has Brussels scratching its head — and an MEP up in arms. Do you have a favorite cocktail and a preferred place in Brussels to order it? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today the Commission will publish its European Semester Spring Package, a checkup on EU countries’ economies. But the news isn’t too good. The report warns that over a million jobs across Europe could be lost in the coming years as a result of high energy costs, competition from abroad and the green transition. On the pod, Zoya and Ian discuss these major labor market challenges. Also happening today, the European Commission is unveiling its long-awaited tech sovereignty package. Most of Europe’s cloud services, AI infrastructure, payment systems and government software relies on companies outside of the bloc. From a security perspective, this could be problem ... which the Commission hopes to help solve. And finally: An MEP had to seek medical assistance after visiting an unsanitary hotel in Strasbourg. Ian and Zoya share their hotel horror stories. Questions? Comments? Send us a message or a voice note on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Every one of these Russian vessels carrying sanctioned goods requires port access, crews, financial services and more to stay operational. On today’s episode, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton pinpoint insurance in particular. They explain how, even though European insurers pulled away from Russian-linked business after the invasion of Ukraine, some financial institutions are still supporting these ships. Also on the pod, Michael McGrath, Commissioner for justice and rule of law, arrives in Hungary today. His visit comes as Prime Minister Péter Magyar is racing to pass the rule of law reforms needed to finally unlock billions of euros in EU funds. And finally: Europe is on Ebola watch. EU health ministers are preparing to coordinate as the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda grows and suspected cases test Europe’s response systems.  Is your birthday coming up? Let us know and we can give you a shout out on the pod! Send us a message or a voice note on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The EU is edging closer to one of its most controversial migration policies yet: sending failed asylum seekers to return hubs outside the bloc. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur discuss the latest negotiations over tougher deportation rules, why countries are already exploring potential deals from Albania to Central Asia, and why critics warn the plans could create offshore detention centers. Then: France's presidential race is drifting toward a scenario that many in Brussels dread, with far-right politician Jordan Bardella and far-left figure Jean-Luc Mélenchon gaining ground as the center splinters. And finally: Brussels wants Europe to build the advanced chips powering the AI revolution. But after years of falling behind, can the bloc still join the race? A question for you: How are you actually using AI? We'd love to hear what's working, what's not and what tools have become part of your daily routine. Send us a message or a voice note on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the EU finally ready to get serious about China? That’s the question increasingly dominating conversations in Brussels as fears grow that Europe is being squeezed by Beijing’s industrial machine. Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by Sander Tordoir from the Centre for European Reform, Grzegorz Stec from MERICS and POLITICO’s Jordyn Dahl to discuss the European Commission's attempts to forge a common stance on China. With deindustrialization already visible across parts of the continent, social tensions are spiking and fueling support for radical political forces. As China floods the bloc with cheap imports, strategic industries are struggling to respond. But Europeans genuinely like many of the Chinese products flooding into the continent — from electric cars to solar panels and electronics. So how far is Brussels actually willing to go to protect European industry? Can the EU stay united once the economic costs start biting? And has Europe finally reached its China shock moment? If you have questions or comments, send us a message — or even better, a voice note on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Europe’s far right is yet again under the microscope as a European Parliament watchdog moves to ban the Alternative for Germany’s EU party. On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss how the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations party — home to Germany’s AfD — risks losing EU funding and even its status as a political party. In a 300-page letter, the Authority for European Political Parties and Foundations cites evidence of anti-immigration, antisemitic and anti-LGBT rhetoric from its members. It argues this “casts doubt” on the ESN’s compliance with EU values. Next, we discuss how one of Europe’s oldest geopolitical disputes is spilling into preparations for this year’s U.N. climate summit. Turkey, which is hosting COP31 this November in Antalya, has effectively frozen Cyprus out of parts of the preparatory process. And finally: we dig into a very Brussels-y diplomatic food fight that’s been brewing quietly in the background for months. Questions? Comments? Send us a message — or even better, a voice note on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brussels is beefing up its intelligence machinery. Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson talk about the growing role of INTCEN — the EU’s little-known intelligence-analysis hub inside the European External Action Service — and the quiet power struggle brewing between Kaja Kallas’ diplomatic service and Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission over who gets to handle sensitive security information in Brussels. Then: the Greens in the European Parliament are facing an identity crisis, as one of their biggest national parties considers defecting to the Socialists and Democrats — and why Bas Eickhout’s dramatic departure matters far beyond one relationship scandal. And finally: European commissioners are discovering that driving electric vehicles to Strasbourg can involve awkward charging stops somewhere near Luxembourg. If you have thoughts, tips or strong opinions on how to survive the Brussels–Strasbourg trip in an EV without stopping for 20 minutes in the middle of nowhere, send us a message — or even better, a voice note on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Europe is still reeling from the recent drone incursions into Baltic airspace. In a show of solidarity, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius are in Lithuania today following last week’s drone scare. Today on the Brussels Playbook Podcast, we unpack the latest developments, including discussions about Baltic companies teaming up with Ukrainian firms to tap into their expertise in bomb-shelter construction. Also on the pod: Calls are growing for Europe to appoint its own negotiator in Ukraine-Russia peace talks, now that the U.S. has stepped back. Even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Europe to take a more active role. But not everyone is convinced — Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys and Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski have both raised concerns. Zoya and Nick break down the debate.  And finally, negotiations over the EU’s next long-term budget are heating up, with some countries balking at the proposed €1.8 trillion price tag. We explain what’s driving the pushback.  Should the EU spend more or less money on the next budget? Let us know what you think by sending us a message on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. And don’t forget to check out the Paris Playbook Podcast. You can listen to the trailer and subscribe here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s an ominous backdrop to this year’s GLOBSEC forum in Prague as the war in Ukraine strays into the skies over NATO’s Eastern flank. The last few weeks have seen an increasing number of drone incursions in the Baltics — Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia — across EU airspace. And there are questions over America’s commitment to European security ahead of an important NATO summit in Ankara in July, following changes in American troop deployments, and whether the tide is really changing in the war in Ukraine.  Recording at POLITICO's Speakeasy at the GLOBSEC Forum, Anne McElvoy sits down with two Europeans with skin in the game — Janne Kuusela, Permanent Secretary at Finland's Ministry of Defense and Ana Brnabić, Speaker of the National Assembly in Serbia and former Prime Minister. Both countries have a stake in the ongoing war in Ukraine and the changing face of the EU.  Questions or comments? Message our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. On the ground in Czechia for the Brussels Playbook Podcast, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur unpack the growing wave of drone incursions linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine. They also discuss why Baltic leaders are sounding the alarm and how the crisis in Latvia became serious enough to bring down the government. Then: Germany is growing impatient with the EU’s enlargement drift. Chancellor Friedrich Merz is pushing a new concept called “associate membership” that would pull countries like Ukraine and Moldova closer to EU institutions — even before full accession. And finally: Brussels’ next big institutional power struggle is already underway. António Costa looks increasingly safe as European Council president, while the European People's Party scrambles to keep its grip on the EU’s top jobs and protect Roberta Metsola’s position as European Parliament president. Do you live in Baltic country? Have the recent drone incursions affected your everyday life? We’re curious to hear more! Send a voice note to us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brussels is discovering that cutting red tape may be harder without actual experts in the room. As the EU races ahead with its deregulation drive, concerns are growing over rushed lawmaking, weaker safeguards and the sidelining of technical specialists. Then, EU leaders are exploring ways to make Russia sanctions harder to block — including extending renewal deadlines from six months to a year — as Brussels moves quickly after Viktor Orbán’s departure. And finally: Giorgia Meloni’s party has found a new political battleground — peacocks. Yes, really. For this episode of the Brussels Playbook Podcast, Ian Wishart is joined by POLITICO senior finance reporter Kathryn Carlson. Send us your thoughts — and your views on whether peacocks should be considered a public menace — on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After years of Hungary’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blocking Ukraine’s path to join the EU, Budapest and Kyiv are talking again. That has Brussels wondering if Hungary might finally be softening its position on Ukrainian accession. Today on the pod, Nick and Ian discuss why joining the bloc is so important to the war-torn nation and why — even if the mood is shifting in Budapest — it’s unlikely to change overnight. Also on the show, EU Commissioner Jozef Síkela is heading to Nuuk for a conference called Future Greenland. It’s all part of the EU’s attempt to court the Arctic island as Donald Trump continues to exert his influence. And finally: Bono, Angela Merkel and “The Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo will receive the European Parliament’s brand-new Order of Merit awards.  Who would you nominate for the awards? Send us a message on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices