Zoya Sheftalovich

Zoya Sheftalovich, POLITICO’s Chief EU correspondent who reports on EU politics. Mateusz Morawiecki, former Polish prime minister and ECR president who pushes for closer transatlantic ties. They debate an “economic NATO” idea. They discuss tariff alignment, shared standards, Europe's push to de-risk from the U.S., industrial gaps like chips and arms, and how Ukraine and security concerns shape choices.

Zoya Sheftalovich, POLITICO's new chief EU correspondent, discusses a shocking fraud probe into senior EU diplomats and its implications for Ursula von der Leyen. The panel, featuring defense editor Jan Cienski and trade expert Doug Busvine, evaluates von der Leyen’s first year, highlighting the Commission's shift towards defense amid the Ukraine war and critiques of the US-EU tariff deal. Senior climate correspondent Karl Mathiesen adds insights on the EU's climate performance amid global challenges. Together, they assess the risks to public trust in EU institutions.

António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, warns about de-escalation and attacks on civilian energy infrastructure. Anne McElvoy, POLITICO interviewer, leads the exclusive exchange. Nick Vinocur, POLITICO foreign affairs correspondent, analyzes crisis-driven EU diplomacy. Zoya Sheftalovich, POLITICO chief EU correspondent, explains intra-EU clashes like Hungary’s veto and energy price politics. They focus on war risks, Strait of Hormuz, and EU strategic responses.

Zoya Sheftalovich, a keen observer of EU politics, Nick Vinocur, an expert on transatlantic relations, and Tim Ross, who covers European Council dynamics, dive into the aftermath of Trump's unpredictable moves at Davos. They discuss how his tariff threats rattled EU leaders and prompted an emergency summit. The trio also reveals the challenges surrounding issues like the Gaza 'Board of Peace' and the stalled Mercosur deal, questioning Europe’s trust in diplomacy and emphasizing the need for strategic autonomy in the face of shifting global relations.

On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, European leaders gather in Kyiv to signal unity and solidarity. But back in Brussels, Hungary blocks a new sanctions package against the Kremlin and a €90 billion loan to Ukraine. Host Ian Wishart is joined by senior finance reporter Kathryn Carlson. We also hear from Zoya Sheftalovich on the train to Kyiv with Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa, as she describes the mood around the trip — and how Hungary’s veto cast a shadow over the anniversary. Plus: Aging EU buildings are showing their wear — from water problems at DG COMP to the European Parliament’s costly renovation plans. If you work in a crumbling EU building — or have your own Brussels infrastructure horror story — send us a message or a voice note on WhatsApp: +32 491 05 06 29. **A message from Amazon: Across Europe, businesses are growing with the AWS Cloud to build innovative, scalable products. From Europe’s largest enterprises and government agencies to the continent’s fastest growing startups, learn more about how AWS Cloud is helping businesses across Europe grow at AWS.eu.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices