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Brussels Playbook Podcast

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes603Founded9 years ago
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News CommentaryNewsPolitics

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Latest Episodes

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 joi... more

YouTube

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 ... more

YouTube

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 ... more

YouTube

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 confe... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

John Kampfner
Author, broadcaster, Politico contributor, longtime observer of European politics
Author of Braver New World
Episode: Week Ender: Why Europe can’t avoid Erdogan
Sarah Wheaton
Policy editor, Brussels Playbook
POLITICO
Episode: Brussels gives cows a promotion
Mark Rutte
Secretary General of NATO (as guest in interview segment)
NATO/Dutch government
Episode: NATO’s boss says Trump was right
Hanno Pevkur
Estonia's Defence Minister
Estonia
Episode: Can NATO allies avoid a clash with Trump in Ankara?
Victor Gorillafant
French politics reporter
POLITICO / France coverage
Episode: Has Ukraine found Russia’s weak spot?
Hanna Pefker
Estonia's Defense Minister
Estonia government
Episode: Has Ukraine found Russia’s weak spot?
Kathryn Carlson
Senior Finance Reporter
POLITICO
Episode: Nobody touch the farm budget — our 100th episode, live from Brussels
David Miliband
President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee
International Rescue Committee
Episode: Can Europe help repair the invisible scars of war?
Thomas Byrne
Ireland Europe Minister
Government of Ireland
Episode: Why tensions are high between Poland and 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 1.5k ratings
  • Breat informative podcast with humour to brighten things

    Podcast Addict
    5
    pdelia
    25 days ago
  • Great stuff if you want to follow the goings-on in Brussels

    Podcast Addict
    5
    vasil
    a month ago
  • Very Entertaining

    Not only do I get great insights on the EU, but the individual politics in the member countries as well. Also very fun and entertaining. What a great way to start my day. Well done!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    davidjmz
    United States2 months ago
  • Witty and razor sharp

    I love your very entertaining and highly informative show. Excellent research and solid critical comments. In these days independent journalism is as indispensable as oxygen and you provide it. Keep it on!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jelle Kroes
    Netherlands2 months ago
  • review

    the production of this podcast is wonderful and the questions the quests are asked are great

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nel_232
    Poland2 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
#129
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#150
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#20
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#86
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#134
Italy/News
Apple Podcasts
#144
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can NATO allies avoid a clash with Trump in Ankara?
Q: How worried are you about America's long-term commitment to European security and the possibility of a reduced Western presence?
He stresses that Europe must shoulder more responsibility while recognizing that US collaboration is still crucial; he points to renewed European defense investments, stronger industrial cooperation, and continued support for Ukraine as evidence of steady alignment, even amid public U.S. pressure.
Can NATO allies avoid a clash with Trump in Ankara?
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenges of the summit, and are you worried about Iran complicating the outcome?
The minister outlines two tracks—strengthening NATO's own defense capabilities and securing long-term Ukrainian support—emphasizing unity as essential to deter adversaries and to align allied commitments with the realities on the ground, including concerns about Iran, and the importance of showing a united front.
Who should negotiate with Putin?
Q: What does the signing of Ukraine-related conclusions by all 27 leaders imply for EU solidarity?
It indicates a renewed, unified stance on Ukraine and sanctions, suggesting the EU is able to coordinate more effectively despite earlier disagreements over Russia talks.
Who should negotiate with Putin?
Q: How are the EU institutions competing over leadership of talks with Russia affecting policy?
Competition among institutions delays decisions and creates divisions about who should engage with Putin, undermining a coherent strategy and potentially weakening EU leverage.
Who should negotiate with Putin?
Q: What was the Moscow outreach about and why did it cause tensions at the EU summit?
It stemmed from talks about who should lead diplomacy with Russia, triggering disagreements about representation and signaling a lack of unity within the EU's approach to Moscow.

Audience Metrics

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

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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. Westminster Insider
4. Inside Europe
5. The Economics Show

How many episodes of Brussels Playbook Podcast are there?

Brussels Playbook Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 603 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. John Kampfner
2. Sarah Wheaton
3. Mark Rutte
4. Hanno Pevkur
5. Victor Gorillafant
6. Hanna Pefker
7. Kathryn Carlson
8. David Miliband

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