Brussels Playbook Podcast

EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels as a growing group of countries push the European Commission to propose restrictions on trade with illegal Israeli settlements. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur explain why although the economic impact would be small, the legal and political stakes are far larger — and why critics accuse Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of dragging her feet.

Then, Ukraine’s Coalition of the Willing gathers in Paris the same day as Kyiv urges its allies to press their advantage over Russia before the winter.

And finally, von der Leyen receives expert recommendations on protecting children from social media — as Europe debates age limits, platform responsibility and whether bans would work at all.

Questions? Comments? Send us a message or voice note to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, NATO leaders gathered in Ankara — giving President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan a powerful stage at a moment when Turkey’s strategic value to Europe is rising.

Sarah Wheaton speaks to Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, about Erdoğan’s moment at this week’s NATO summit, Turkey’s complicated relationship with Europe and the United States, and whether the EU can build a serious partnership with Ankara while still confronting its crackdown on political opposition and free media.

Then, author and POLITICO contributor John Kampfner joins the show to discuss his new book, “Braver New World” — and what Europe can learn from places that have found unusually good answers to big problems, from Vienna’s housing model to Finland’s schools and Estonia’s digital state.

And since we’re book nerds, we’d love to hear your recommendations for summer reads; we’ll feature some of them in a future episode. Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here, or at +32 491 05 06 29. You can also email us at podcast@politico.eu.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Far-right National Rally’s Marine Le Pen has announced she’ll run in the 2027 French presidential election, following Tuesday's shock court ruling which cleared the way for her to do so. But what does that mean for Europe?

On Tuesday, a Paris appeals court upheld Le Pen’s guilty verdict but reduced the amount of time she’s banned from holding public office. That means she can run — but under house arrest, with electronic monitoring. On the show, we unpack what Brussels makes of all this.

Also on the show, Europe’s cows now have a new job title: critical infrastructure. The Commission’s new livestock strategy frames livestock as crucial for strategic autonomy and even preparedness. But what does that mean for climate concerns?

Finally: Russian athletes could be allowed to compete in the 2028 Olympics — and EU politicians aren’t happy about it.

Questions? Comments? Send us a message or voice note to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The European Union is in disagreement over whether the Commission should allow Serbia to progress in its membership process.

The issue will come to a head at a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels today. While the Commission argues that dangling accession in front of prospective members is a useful geopolitical tool that can prevent countries from turning towards rival powers, some countries in the bloc aren’t convinced. Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson unpack the debate.

Also on the show, at the sidelines of the NATO summit happening in Ankara, our colleague Dasha Burns, host of POLITICO’s The Conversation podcast, sat down with the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. His main message? Donald Trump was right.

Finally, the European Anti-Fraud Office is warning that fake condoms are making their way into the bloc.

Questions? Comments? Send us a message or voice note to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Europe is on the edge of its seat as it awaits a crucial verdict in the case of France’s National Rally leader, Marine Le Pen, today.

If the Paris appeals court upholds her five-year ban on holding public office, Le Pen’s dream of running in 2027 will be dashed, and the campaign of her 30-year-old protégé, Jordan Bardella, will officially kick off.

Also on the show, NATO allies are meeting in Ankara with one goal: avoiding a Donald Trump blow-up. To placate the U.S. president, they’re keeping the meeting short and focusing on big spending numbers.

Finally, the EU’s Entry/Exit System has been causing a bit of a fiasco at the bloc’s borders ... and it seems the Commission is finally willing to admit it. So what now?

Have you experienced long queues while traveling because of the new Entry/Exit System? Send us a message or voice note to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices