Brussels Playbook Podcast

There’s an ominous backdrop to this year’s GLOBSEC forum in Prague as the war in Ukraine strays into the skies over NATO’s Eastern flank. The last few weeks have seen an increasing number of drone incursions in the Baltics — Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia — across EU airspace.

And there are questions over America’s commitment to European security ahead of an important NATO summit in Ankara in July, following changes in American troop deployments, and whether the tide is really changing in the war in Ukraine. 

Recording at POLITICO's Speakeasy at the GLOBSEC Forum, Anne McElvoy sits down with two Europeans with skin in the game — Janne Kuusela, Permanent Secretary at Finland's Ministry of Defense and Ana Brnabić, Speaker of the National Assembly in Serbia and former Prime Minister. Both countries have a stake in the ongoing war in Ukraine and the changing face of the EU. 

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With drone alerts, emergency shelters and fighter jets over the Baltics, Europe’s security fears suddenly feel much less theoretical at the GLOBSEC forum in Prague.

On the ground in Czechia for the Brussels Playbook Podcast, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur unpack the growing wave of drone incursions linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine. They also discuss why Baltic leaders are sounding the alarm and how the crisis in Latvia became serious enough to bring down the government.

Then: Germany is growing impatient with the EU’s enlargement drift. Chancellor Friedrich Merz is pushing a new concept called “associate membership” that would pull countries like Ukraine and Moldova closer to EU institutions — even before full accession.

And finally: Brussels’ next big institutional power struggle is already underway. António Costa looks increasingly safe as European Council president, while the European People's Party scrambles to keep its grip on the EU’s top jobs and protect Roberta Metsola’s position as European Parliament president.

Do you live in Baltic country? Have the recent drone incursions affected your everyday life? We’re curious to hear more! Send a voice note to us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
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Brussels is discovering that cutting red tape may be harder without actual experts in the room. As the EU races ahead with its deregulation drive, concerns are growing over rushed lawmaking, weaker safeguards and the sidelining of technical specialists.

Then, EU leaders are exploring ways to make Russia sanctions harder to block — including extending renewal deadlines from six months to a year — as Brussels moves quickly after Viktor Orbán’s departure.

And finally: Giorgia Meloni’s party has found a new political battleground — peacocks. Yes, really.

For this episode of the Brussels Playbook Podcast, Ian Wishart is joined by POLITICO senior finance reporter Kathryn Carlson.

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After years of Hungary’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blocking Ukraine’s path to join the EU, Budapest and Kyiv are talking again. That has Brussels wondering if Hungary might finally be softening its position on Ukrainian accession.

Today on the pod, Nick and Ian discuss why joining the bloc is so important to the war-torn nation and why — even if the mood is shifting in Budapest — it’s unlikely to change overnight.

Also on the show, EU Commissioner Jozef Síkela is heading to Nuuk for a conference called Future Greenland. It’s all part of the EU’s attempt to court the Arctic island as Donald Trump continues to exert his influence.

And finally: Bono, Angela Merkel and “The Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo will receive the European Parliament’s brand-new Order of Merit awards. 

Who would you nominate for the awards? Send us a message on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
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The European Commission is preparing to take a much tougher line on China, we hear on this episode of the Brussels Playbook Podcast, with Zoya Sheftalovich joined by Nick Vinocur. Brussels is growing increasingly worried about cheap imports, industrial decline and dependence on Chinese critical raw materials.

Then: Despite 20 EU sanctions packages against Russia, a major investigation reveals how Russian networks still manage to get hold of European technology through shell companies and third countries including Turkey.

And finally, the European Parliament heads to Strasbourg — where MEPs are once again arguing over parliamentary immunity, prosecutorial overreach and whether lawmakers are becoming too protective of their own.

Send us your thoughts — and your favorite European museum, since it’s International Museum Day — on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
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