Brussels Playbook Podcast

All eyes are once again on Ukraine this week, as a fresh round of diplomatic talks puts Europe’s future in the balance.

The continent’s focus will largely be on Ukraine as trilateral talks among the U.S., Kyiv and Moscow happen in Abu Dhabi. The stakes are high, as President Donald Trump’s promise of a “big, beautiful deal” that “might involve all of Europe” has capitals on edge. On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur unpack potential outcomes from the talks.

Next, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has a new adversary: French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen. If she takes power in elections next year, Le Pen wants to dismantle — or at least drastically scale back — the EU’s diplomatic arm, the European External Action Service. What could that mean for Brussels’ influence on the world stage?

Finally, European leaders are gearing up for their first joint meeting on AI, but administrative delays threaten to derail their ambitions before they get off the ground.

Questions? Comments? Message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Articles mentioned in this episode:

Marine Le Pen is coming after Kaja Kallas.

The Kremlin call: How talking to Putin exposed Europe’s deepest rift over Ukraine.

Putin may not want peace, warns Norwegian leader who spoke to him.

EU countries still can’t get it together on AI.

This episode was produced by Saga Ringmar.
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The Democrats scored a resounding victory in this week's U.S. midterm elections. But will their triumph actually change anything for Europe?

With the balance of power shifting in Congress, could the incoming lawmakers move the needle on issues Europe cares about, from tariffs to support for Ukraine? And what do MAGA's bruising losses mean for Europe's own nationalist and populist parties? Are they a warning for Europe’s far right? Or could the very issues that battered Republicans — affordability and the cost of living — end up propelling Europe's far right into power?

Joining host Sarah Wheaton to discuss this is POLITICO Europe's Executive Editor Carrie Budoff Brown, who also led our U.S. newsroom during Donald Trump's first term. We’ll also speak with Gregor Schwung, a reporter at WELT currently on the ground in Washington, D.C., and POLITICO’s Foreign Affairs columnist Jamie Dettmer.

Questions? Comments? Let us know on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
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Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping Europe’s job market. The Commission is hoping to do something about that.

Today on the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss the unveiling of Commissioner Roxana Mînzatu's Education and Skills Package. In it, the EU executive sets out plans to boost vocational education and training for jobs that require physical presence and manual expertise — jobs that AI won't be as likely to snap up in the future.

Next, the culprit behind this week's cyberattack on supermarket freezers across Europe remains a mystery. But we explain why cybersecurity experts are looking toward Moscow.

Finally, some MEPs have AI doing their homework — and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is not happy about it.

Are you a young person nervous about your future job prospects? What is your game plan when it comes to finding a job in the age of AI? Let us know on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Articles mentioned in this episode:

Supermarket Chain Thaw Massacre: Russia suspected in Europe’s fridge attacks.

Fridge hacks also hit French blood banks.

Metsola tells MEPs not to rely on AI when drafting laws.

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Overnight, the Democratic party has won the U.S. Senate and made decisive gains in the House. But this might not necessarily be good news for Europe.

On this special episode, Zoya Sheftalovich is joined by Sarah Wheaton in Brussels and our Global Politics Bureau Chief Jack Blanchard, who is ringing in from Washington. Jack will give us a picture of election night and the "generational changing of the guard" as he describes it, which has seen big wins for Democrats across the country.

But could this blue wave actually mean Donald Trump — more curtailed at home — turns his attention instead to Europe? And in that case, could we see transatlantic relations sour further in the next two years? We dive deeper into all these questions and more.

Do you have any thoughts or questions on these initial results from the U.S. midterm elections? Contact us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Articles mentioned in this episode:

Allies fear Trump will target NATO in case of midterm loss.

OPINION: Why Europe shouldn’t celebrate a Democratic midterm victory.

5 things Europe needs to monitor as Democrats blitz Trump in US midterms.

Our U.S. midterm election live blog.

This episode was produced by Saga Ringmar.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Poland's long-simmering rule-of-law issue reached boiling point this weekend. So, what now?

On today's show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson unpack Prime Minister Donald Tusk's efforts to undo judicial appointments made under the previous right-wing Law and Justice government. Tusk's administration argues that removing these PiS-era appointees is essential to bringing Poland back into line with EU rule-of-law standards. But after this weekend's turmoil, could the push backfire? And what could it mean for Tusk's support ahead of next year's elections?

Then, on to a crisis closer to home: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever offered his resignation to King Philippe Monday morning, after failing to reach a budget agreement for 2027. Does that mean the government will collapse? Zoya and Katie go through what happens next.

And finally, RFK Jr.’s Make American Healthy Again campaign is coming to Brussels ... at least when it comes to ultra-processed foods.

What are your thoughts on unhealthy, processed snacks and junk food? How should the bloc tackle them? Write in and let us know: You'll find us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Articles mentioned in this episode:

Crisis over top court shapes Poland’s battle lines before 2027 election.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s food fight is coming to Brussels.

King mulls De Wever’s resignation as Belgian budget talks fail.

This episode was produced by Saga Ringmar.
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