Brussels Playbook Podcast
POLITICO
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
11 snips
Mar 20, 2026 • 36min
High price to pay: EU and UN wrestle with Middle East war
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.
6 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 15min
Time for a tense summit
Leaders clash in Brussels over a stalled €90 billion Ukraine loan and Viktor Orbán’s demands. Tensions rise as debates swirl on how Europe should respond to the war in Iran and energy disruptions. Lawmakers face a risky vote on lowering tariffs for U.S. industrial goods amid doubts about transatlantic trust. And Belgium grapples with an unexpected potato surplus and farmer protests.
5 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 15min
Breaking the Orbán deadlock
Ian Wishart, Senior EU politics editor at POLITICO, offers sharp analysis of the Hungary-Ukraine funding standoff and the Druzhba pipeline dispute. He breaks down whether Kyiv’s offer to let the EU inspect and repair the pipeline could unblock the €90 billion loan. He also explores the EU’s bold “28th regime” plan to help startups scale across borders and its political implications.
18 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 15min
Europe rejects Trump’s Iran demands
Nick Vinocur, POLITICO’s chief foreign affairs correspondent known for covering international security and EU foreign policy, unpacks Brussels’ high-stakes week. He discusses EU accession moves for Ukraine, Moldova and Montenegro. He covers the rebuff to calls for naval action in the Strait of Hormuz and growing transatlantic strains. He also touches on World Cup safety worries as geopolitics meets sport.
6 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 16min
The EU's energy dilemma
Tense Iran-related shipping disruptions and their ripple effects on global energy markets take center stage. Debate over naval escorts and Europe’s capacity to secure shipping lanes gets explored. Norway’s bid to be a dependable gas and oil supplier is highlighted. Brexit reset talks pivot on UK tuition fees for EU students and the political fallout for universities.
13 snips
Mar 13, 2026 • 38min
Europe should back American strikes on Iran, says key Merz ally
Norbert Röttgen, veteran German politician and former foreign affairs chair, argues for a united European response and qualified backing for US strikes on Iran. He discusses coalition divisions in Berlin, the need for transatlantic alignment, risks from Russia and economic fallout. Short, direct takes on when military action could be justified and why Europe must speak with one voice.
27 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 17min
Zelenskyy vs. Orbán
Tense EU politics as Zelenskyy pushes for a 'Plan B' after Hungary stalls a €90 billion loan and accuses Orbán of siding with Russia. Brussels weighs new limits on AI tools that create sexualized deepfakes after the Grok scandal. Belgian artists plan an alternative music event to protest Israel’s presence at Eurovision. Plus quick Brussels institutional headaches like building failures.
12 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 17min
Europe’s plan to keep Ukraine afloat
Kathryn Carlson, senior finance reporter at POLITICO, breaks down EU finance and contingency planning for Ukraine. She outlines Plan B funding from Nordic and Baltic lenders and the IMF lifeline. Kathryn also explains how Hungary’s election dynamics and pipeline disruptions complicate timing and repairs.
33 snips
Mar 10, 2026 • 15min
Europe braces for an energy crisis
Nick Vinocur, POLITICO chief foreign affairs correspondent, brings sharp expertise on geopolitics and energy. He explains how Middle East tensions are pushing oil and gas prices up. They explore EU and G7 response options, limits of market tools, and how the crisis reshapes the renewables debate. Politics and regional tensions also factor into the energy outlook.
19 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 16min
Von der Leyen accused of overreach
Nick Vinocur, POLITICO’s chief foreign affairs correspondent who covers international crises and EU foreign policy. He discusses tensions over Ursula von der Leyen’s diplomatic moves in the Middle East. They explore EU outreach to Gulf partners and where foreign policy authority belongs. Conversation also touches on enlargement timing, the urgent housing debate, and Brussels transport headaches.
