Brussels Playbook Podcast

Europe’s gray-zone war with Russia is getting harder to ignore. Sarah Wheaton speaks to security expert and author Elisabeth Braw about how Europe should respond as sabotage, arson, cyberattacks and attacks on critical infrastructure become more frequent and more dangerous, who pays when businesses are targeted, and what happens when one of them turns deadly. They also discuss Braw’s new book, The Undersea War: The International Battle for Supremacy at the Bottom of the World, and the increasingly contested cables, pipelines and infrastructure hidden beneath the seabed — another target in this growing gray-zone conflict. You can read Elisabeth’s most recent column for POLITICO about how European businesses are paying the cost for Russias hybrid war here. Questions? Comments? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ukraine’s prime minister is warning of a $20 billion defense funding gap as Russia intensifies its attacks and Kyiv struggles to protect its skies and keep the country running. Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton look at just how much pressure Ukraine is under — from its military finances to farmers struggling to get their grain out. They also unpack the Commission and EU governments’ two-day brainstorming session on how a huge chunk of the next EU budget should work — and who may end up controling it. Plus, the Commission’s attempt to build a sovereign alternative to Microsoft Teams is not exactly winning rave reviews. Questions? Comments? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ursula von der Leyen is heading on her annual tour of the Western Balkans to visit some of the countries in line to join the EU. But Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia, two accession hopefuls, are not on the itinerary. On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss why EU membership talks are speeding ahead with certain Balkan countries, and stalling with others. Next, investigative outlet Mediapart has uncovered antisemitic remarks allegedly made by French far-right politician Jordan Bardella in a private chat back in 2013. But is this news enough to make a dent in Marine Le Pen’s presidential campaign? And finally, we take you inside Brussels’ surprisingly political sauna circuit. Questions? Comments? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another surge in energy prices risks making life even more expensive for Europeans — especially once winter rolls around. So when EU energy ministers meet in Dublin today, affordability will be at the top of their agenda. On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss just how bad the price spike is and how the cost of gas could play out at ballot boxes across Europe. Next, what does it take to ensure people who want to live in the countryside can stay in the countryside? We discuss the Commission’s “Right to Stay” initiative, which aims to help people stay in rural areas rather than leaving to the big cities for better jobs, schools and services. And finally, the Commission is considering big changes to EPSO: that’s the body that runs competitions for permanent EU jobs. The system is slow, costly and was described by one insider as “completely unmanageable.” Have you applied for an EU job via EPSO? What was your experience like? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As ultra-fast fashion has gotten cheaper, textiles have become disposable to many Europeans. The average EU consumer purchased 95 articles of textiles last year — an increase of 12 percent since 2019. Europe now discards about 9 million tons of polyester textiles annually. That’s the weight of roughly 900 Eiffel Towers.  Those unwanted clothes could be put to better use. Technology has advanced to the point where textile-to-textile recycling is in reach, but it requires coordination across the EU. With Extended Producer Responsibility rules coming into effect and the Circular Economy Act on the horizon, Europe has a unique chance to turn its textile waste problem into a strategic advantage. In this special podcast episode produced by POLITICO Studio, experts on policy, textile recycling and fashion manufacturing explore whether the EU can rise to the challenge. Guest speakers include: Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju, a textile-to-textile regeneration company focused on polyester; Ekaterina Stoyanova, senior policy advisor at Recycling Europe, the Brussels-based recycling industry association; and Cveta Majtanovic, sustainability director at Rematrix, one of Italy's Producer Responsibility Organizations. POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT The sponsor is Reju The advertisement is linked to building an EPR system in Europe and putting in place incentives to reward textile-to-textile design. More information here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Europe’s defense ministers are meeting today to discuss whether the EU needs its own version of NATO’s article 4. This so-called Emergency Security Protocol would allow capitals to bring together all EU countries in the event of a security crisis. But the idea is controversial. On the show, hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur discuss whether there is appetite among capitals to set up the protocol, or whether the move will be seen as encroaching on NATO’s turf. Next, the European Parliament’s biggest political family — the EPP — is devising a plan to take on the far right in 2029. But there’s a problem. It seems even within the conservative political family, there’s a deep disagreement over how to cooperate with populists. Finally, the death of a pop star has Greece’s wellness industry asking itself some tough questions. Questions? Comments? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. This episode was produced by Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

European lawmakers this week called for the EU’s artificial intelligence regulations to hold American tech companies liable for the risks their most advanced models pose to humanity. But how much sway does Europe have in an arms race dominated by the U.S. and China? Host Anne McElvoy has been in Berlin attending WELT’s AI Summit, which brings together the AI and tech business leaders from across Europe with other interested parties. They include Cardinal Michael Czerny, who Pope Leo recently appointed to chair the Vatican’s Commission on AI. He tells Anne that European politicians need to heed warnings over the development of frontier AI models and enter a dialogue with the Catholic Church. She also explores the wider questions of AI regulation with Axel Voss, who sits on the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs, and Pieter Haeck, senior technology reporter at POLITICO. Questions? Comments? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Europe breathed a sigh of relief after finally agreeing on a new Russia sanctions list. But attention is turning to the compromise that got it over the line: dropping two Russian billionaires. On the show, hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss reactions from around the EU to the deal, plus revelations about why France might have wanted billionaire Alisher Usmanov removed from the list in the first place. Next, the U.K. is planning to release prisoners in an attempt to relieve some of the pressure on its overcrowded jails — but the plan has EU countries nervous. Zoya and Sarah explain why. Finally, to celebrate the European Week of Sport, we scour the continent to find its most active countries. Which activity is popular in your country? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. If you’re interested in watching our stellar lineup at Playbook Paris Live, you can check it out online here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode was recorded in front of an audience at our Brussels Playbook Live event. On the show, hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart spotlight Cristina Lobillo Borrero, Ursula von der Leyen’s new senior adviser for the Clean Transition. They discuss what her appointment says about the Commission president’s approach to energy — and her relationship with Commissioner Teresa Ribera. Next, Norway is concerned that it is lobbying the EU too late to have a real effect on policy. And that’s a problem because, while Oslo isn’t an EU member, it still ends up adopting a large number of EU laws. And finally, Zoya and Ian deliver the big news we’ve been teasing all week: our new Brussels Playbook Capitals newsletter. It’s the afternoon edition of the Playbook newsletter, drawing on our coverage from across the continent. To understand more, Zoya speaks to two of the newsletter’s authors, Marion Sollety in Paris and James Angelos in Berlin. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. Questions? Comments? 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 U.N. General Assembly is in full swing over in New York, and the agenda is packed. But perhaps the most pressing item will take place on the sidelines of the gathering, as Denmark, the U.S. and Greenland prepare to sign a security deal. What does the agreement mean for the EU’s big Arctic strategy? And will it be enough to ease months of tension between Donald Trump and the Danish territory? Hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss. Then, we’re heading back to Germany where the fallout from Sunday’s state elections is only getting worse for Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Questions are once again being raised about how long he can hang on. And finally, we have some bad news for Belgium-dwellers who love online shopping. Today we’re recording a special episode in front of an audience at our Brussels Playbook Live event. You can register to watch the entire event online here. Questions? Comments? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two state elections pile more pressure on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — raising fresh questions about his leadership and what a weaker Germany could mean for the rest of Europe. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur also look at the growing fear over Russian hybrid attacks, as EU foreign ministers meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to discuss how Europe should respond if one of those attacks turns deadly. And back in Brussels, some EU officials are being pushed beyond the Schuman bubble as the fight over savings in the next seven-year budget gets very real. Questions? Comments? 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 old global order is breaking down. Ursula von der Leyen thinks Europe may have to start building something new around it. In her State of the European Union speech, she floated closer ties with Canada — even “associate membership” — and a new European Security Council, as Europe looks for new ways to work with like-minded powers in an increasingly chaotic world. But both ideas immediately raised questions about whether von der Leyen was getting ahead of her own allies. Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO Executive Editor Carrie Budoff Brown, senior EU climate reporter Zia Weise and AI and technology reporter Pieter Haeck to unpack what von der Leyen’s speech tells us about Europe’s search for a role in this new global “unorder.” They also look at her climate message — heavy on adaptation to heat, drought and fires, but lighter on new answers to Europe’s energy problems — and at her attempt to square AI regulation with the need to keep Europe in the global tech race. Questions? Comments? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney takes the stage in Strasbourg after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen surprised EU capitals by floating “associate membership” for Canada — a status that doesn’t actually exist, and that Ottawa itself seems reluctant to define. Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton ask whether von der Leyen got ahead of both member countries and the Canadians, and what Carney’s speech could tell us about how close the two sides really want to get. Then, Germany’s Friedrich Merz faces a potentially decisive weekend as pressure grows on his leadership. And finally, why is the EU still allowing plastic waste exports to Turkey despite its own assessment warning of serious environmental problems? Questions? Comments? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Our audience survey is still live — we’d love to hear what you think about the pod. This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode from Strasbourg, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart give their first take on the State of the European Union speech delivered by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They look at the push for a more independent Europe — from competitiveness to AI, climate, defense and Ukraine — as well as the ideas that could shape what comes next, including a European Security Council and a deeper partnership with Canada. Our audience survey is still live — we’d love to hear what you think about the pod. Questions? Comments? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is giving her State of the European Union address this morning ... her biggest set-piece speech of the year.  Host Zoya Sheftalovich is at the European Parliament in Strasbourg with her ears to the ground, trying to figure out which hot-button issues we can expect to hear about. Two of the biggest topics we’re almost sure she is going to talk about are plans to limit social media access for children and the challenges posed by the artificial intelligence industry. These issues, alongside migration, climate and defense are all likely to feature in the top-secret speech — oh, and the Commission president’s surprise guests, of course. We’ll be back later today after the speech is over to give you a snap analysis of everything that Ursula von der Leyen talked about. Our audience survey is still live — we’d love to hear what you think about the pod. Questions? Comments? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is it easier for a jar of peanut butter to cross EU borders than it is for a European worker? According to the Commission, varying social security systems and professional qualifications make it hard for Europeans to work outside their home country in the bloc. The EU executive’s Fair Labour Mobility Package — unveiled today — aims to fix that. On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur dissect the initiative. Next, NATO allies are debating a tougher response as Russian sabotage and hybrid attacks creep closer to home. And eight years after former Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker promised to stop Europe changing the clocks twice a year — why are we still doing it? Our audience survey is still live, and we’d love to hear what you think about the pod. Do you have something you want Ursula von der Leyen to mention in her State of the European Union speech? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives her big State of the European Union speech on Wednesday, the topic of migration is likely to feature heavily. On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur discuss the EU executive’s proposed new tool to counter “weaponized” migration — like we saw in Ceuta this summer. Plus, what do the results of the Swedish general election mean for the country’s migration policy? Next, a group of European leaders and senior EU officials are in Finland today, part of Brussels’ broader push to deepen its engagement in the Arctic as the region assumes greater geopolitical importance. Expect the Arctic to stay high on the EU agenda throughout the autumn. Finally: Zoya has been on a tap water crusade in Brussels ... and now, the results are in!  Our audience survey is still live and we’d love to hear what you think about the pod. The survey takes five minutes max and closes Sept. 18 — you can access it here. Otherwise you can contact us as always via WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. P.S. We’re going live again on Sept. 22. We’ll be recording the podcast in front of an audience as part of POLITICO’s Brussels Playbook Live event. You can register to attend here. This episode was produced by Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her State of the European Union speech last year, the backdrop was chaotic. Russian drones had just crossed into Polish airspace, Donald Trump was casting doubt on America’s commitment to NATO, and the Commission president herself was facing votes of no confidence. Her answer to this disarray? Europe, she said, was in a fight — and this was its “independence moment.” A year later, can we say that Europe met that moment? And is it winning the fight or losing it? To take stock of what the EU has achieved — and where it has fallen short — host Sarah Wheaton is joined by Senior EU policy editor Joanna Roberts, deputy tech editor Laurens Cerulus and Nick Vinocur, our chief foreign affairs correspondent. Plus, we want to hear from you! We have a survey out and would love to know what you like about the podcast and what we could do differently. The survey will take max five minutes — you can access it here. Otherwise, you can contact us as always via WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. is on a public campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court. Now, it wants help from its NATO allies.  During a closed-door meeting back in July, U.S. envoy to NATO Matthew Whitaker asked allied countries for help in disassembling the international court that addresses genocide and crimes against humanity.  On the show, Sarah Wheaton and Kathryn Carlson discuss the European reaction and the motivations behind this American push. Next, Europe’s housing crisis is deepening. Sarah Wheaton spoke with the Commissioner tasked with tackling the problem, Dan Jørgensen. And criminal gangs in Europe are using AI to figure out where they can build their illegal tobacco factories to not get caught. Finally: We want to hear from you! We have a survey out and would love to know what you like about the podcast and what we could do differently. The survey will take max five minutes — you can access it here. Otherwise, you can contact us as always via WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Plus: We’re going live again on Sept. 22. We’ll be recording the podcast in front of an audience as part of POLITICO’s Brussels Playbook Live event. You can register to attend here. This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Relations between the EU and Israel have been deeply strained over the war in Gaza. But the bloc is struggling to withstand the allure of Israel’s tech and missile defense prowess. On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss how EU capitals are looking again to Israel for cooperation on things like air defense, space and artificial intelligence. Our hosts explain why this is an awkward look for the bloc. Then, two years after Mario Draghi’s competitiveness report, we break down how much of his plan Europe has actually delivered. And finally: France’s brutal summer is hitting wine harvest ... is there another drink you’ll opt for instead? Let us know via WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Plus: We’re going live again on Sept. 22. We’ll be recording the podcast in front of an audience as part of POLITICO’s Brussels Playbook Live event. You can register to attend here. This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices