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Brussels Playbook Podcast

POLITICO
European Union
Ukraine
Russia
Ursula Von Der Leyen
Donald Trump
NATO
European Parliament
Hungary
Germany
Brussels
Viktor Orbán
EU Politics
China
European Commission
France
Iran
Migration
Climate Change
Greenland
Trump Administration

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 coffe... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes572Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for Brussels Playbook Podcast

Latest Episodes

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 Whea... more

YouTube

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... more

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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 ... more

YouTube

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 ser... more

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Recent Guests

Sander Tordoir
Chief Economist at the Centre for European Reform
Centre for European Reform
Episode: China: the 'abusive' partner the EU just can’t quit?
Grzegorz Stec
Head of the Brussels Office at the Mercator Institute for China Studies (Merics)
Mercator Institute for China Studies
Episode: China: the 'abusive' partner the EU just can’t quit?
Jordyn Dahl
Senior mobility reporter and resident China watcher
POLITICO
Episode: China: the 'abusive' partner the EU just can’t quit?
Radosław Sikorski
Polish foreign minister (at time of appearance)
Polish government
Episode: Should Europe talk to Putin?
Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Former NATO Secretary General
Former government/International diplomacy
Episode: Should Europe talk to Putin?
Janne Kuusela
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defense, Finland
Finland Ministry of Defense
Episode: From the Baltic to the Balkans: Putin is testing European leaders
Ana Brnabić
Speaker of the National Assembly in Serbia and former Prime Minister
Government of Serbia
Episode: From the Baltic to the Balkans: Putin is testing European leaders
Chrystia Freeland
Economic adviser to President Zelenskyy and former deputy prime minister of Canada
Ukraine/Canada
Episode: Two transatlantic power brokers on why Europe should step up on Iran and double down on Ukraine
John Bolton
U.S. National Security Advisor (former); author and commentator
United States Government/Influencer
Episode: Two transatlantic power brokers on why Europe should step up on Iran and double down on Ukraine

Hosts

Zoya Sheftalovich
Host of Brussels Playbook Podcast and related EU-focused daily briefings; long-standing POLITICO EU correspondent.
Sarah Wheaton
Policy Editor with roles in EU Confidential and Brussels Playbook Weekender; leads longer Friday episodes.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Info, honesty & good fun

    Keeps me informed, the EU institutions honest, and both of us smiling (good fun with culture language games).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    luus63
    Netherlandsa month ago
  • Essential intelligence on Europe

    Listening from Australia, this podcast is vital intelligence keeping in touch with what’s going on in that part of the world

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tropical Bedtimes
    Australiaa month ago
  • Really handy daily bulletin about what’s happening in EU politics

    👍

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DavidLundy
    Belgiuma month ago
  • Short and informed

    Love the short format. Zoya is an excellent host.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Marie-Helene Patrice
    Germanya month ago
  • Fabulous news and entertaining too

    The host Zoya Sheftalovich is absolutely fantastic. She leads and provides excellent commentary and analysis on the issues. She’s also sporting a great podcasting voice as well as a sparkling personality that keeps you listening. Very enjoyable podcast- a must listen to show in my opinion.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BillDart
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show can be polarizing for some listeners who critique tone or balance and prefer deeper economic analysis.
Listeners praise concise, informative briefings and strong host storytelling.
A subset desires more European-policy depth or less Americanized framing in certain episodes.
Many appreciate the quick daily format and the ability to stay updated on Brussels developments with context.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#108
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#203
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#220
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#12
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#30
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#81
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Should Europe talk to Putin?
Q: How does the debate on an envoy intersect with the EU's budget negotiations?
The hosts connect the envoy debate to wider strategic decisions, noting that internal EU disagreements (like the MFF) reflect broader challenges in forming a cohesive foreign policy stance, especially toward Russia.
Should Europe talk to Putin?
Q: What are the political risks of pushing for an envoy in terms of signaling and leverage?
Experts warn that appointing an envoy could be perceived as pressuring Ukraine to concede, while others note that an envoy could help coordinate EU positions and sanctions strategy. The line emphasizes caution and alignment with Ukraine's own decisions.
Should Europe talk to Putin?
Q: Should Europe name an envoy for the peace talks or let the two sides negotiate directly?
The host and guest discuss both sides, with Sikorski advocating direct talks between Ukraine and Russia, while others see potential value in a European envoy to shape conditions and leverage. Overall, the answer leans toward preferring direct talks but acknowledges the ongoing debate about a possible envoy.
Two transatlantic power brokers on why Europe should step up on Iran and double down on Ukraine
Q: How well do you think European leaders have been handling the unpredictability of the relationship with China?
The relationship with China in European circles has been largely economic, but there is growing debate over strategic concerns, with a need for a collective, de-risked approach that involves ally coordination and potentially a stronger Western stance.
Who’s “European” — and who’s not?
Q: What does the research say about what makes someone feel European today?
People associate European identity with values like democracy, rule of law, and human rights, but there is also a salient strand tying identity to ethnicity, birth, and religion, with some viewing being European as compatible with non-EU policy views.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Brussels Playbook Podcast

What is Brussels Playbook Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A concise, everyday briefing on EU politics and Brussels power dynamics, with a focus on policy decisions, budgets, and transatlantic relations. Episodes frequently cover Europe's economic policy, security, and governance debates, often pairing brisk roundups with expert guests to offer context for today's headlines. A notable strength is the tight, reporting-driven format that distills complex EU topics into under-15-minute takes, plus occasional deeper dives on Fridays for a broader, more analytic view. The show is likely to appeal to listeners who want quick,-informative summaries with clear links to national capitals, along with informed perspectives on geopolitics and European policy trade-offs. A standout trait is the emphasis on prac... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Brussels Playbook Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Brussels Playbook Podcast:

1. Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes
2. The Rachman Review
3. Inside Europe
4. The Foreign Affairs Interview
5. The Economics Show

How many episodes of Brussels Playbook Podcast are there?

Brussels Playbook Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 572 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Brussels Playbook Podcast?

Recent guests on Brussels Playbook Podcast include:

1. Sander Tordoir
2. Grzegorz Stec
3. Jordyn Dahl
4. Radosław Sikorski
5. Anders Fogh Rasmussen
6. Janne Kuusela
7. Ana Brnabić
8. Chrystia Freeland

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