Episode Overview

Podcast: Brussels Playbook Podcast
Host: Zoya Sheftalovich (POLITICO's chief EU correspondent)
Guest: Ian Wishart (senior EU politics editor, POLITICO)
Date: February 11, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode dives into key debates shaping EU politics today: the EU's funding and military support for Ukraine, a crucial European industrial summit in Antwerp, and the political machinations—and ongoing gridlock—surrounding Brussels' regional government. The conversation is informative yet light, offering both political insights and relatable asides.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. EU Defense Ministers Meet in Brussels: Focus on Ukraine

[01:02-03:42]

• Ukrainian Integration:
  New Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov is participating, exemplifying Ukraine's gradual integration into EU structures. Known as a “wunderkind” for his digital reforms, Fedorov's fresh perspective is drawing attention from EU ministers.

  • Quote (Zoya):
    "He has a reputation as like something of a wunderkind. He was able to transform a lot of Ukraine's tech policy...So now there's a bit of a hope that he might bring that approach to the defense role." [01:27]

• €90 Billion EU Loan to Ukraine:
  Ministers are hashing out the terms for Ukraine’s massive new financial assistance. Key sticking point: Should Ukraine be required to spend this aid on European-made weaponry (a French and wider EU industry push), or have the autonomy to buy what it needs from any source?

  • Quote (Zoya):
    "What’s really important for Ukraine here is to really put forward the message that Kyiv would like to be able to make its own decisions when it comes to choosing what it spends that money on." [02:30]

• Urgency & Winter Hardships:
  Ukraine stresses urgent needs for air defense and drone systems after a brutal winter and attacks on energy infrastructure. Some countries push for sending Patriot missiles.

• EU Internal Division:
  France and allies want to boost EU defense industries, but others argue Ukraine knows its needs best and should choose freely.

2. Finalizing the SAFE Program: Speed & Translation Hiccups

[03:42-04:44]

• Eight National Defence Plans:
  The EU is approving defense spending plans for eight member states under the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program. Poland is set to receive the largest share (€44 billion out of €150 billion).

• Unusual EU Speed:
  The swift rollout—plans finalized and funds deployed within a year—is impressive (and unusual) for the EU.

  • Quote (Ian):
    "I find the most interesting thing about this is just the sheer speed that this is happening... That’s really quick for the EU, isn’t it?" [04:08]
  • Quote (Zoya):
    "Actually…the reason why they're signing off on eight plans today and some of them are being punted to next week is actually because it happens so fast they haven't had enough time to translate everything." [04:24]

3. Behind Closed Doors: Off-the-Record Dinner and Transatlantic Tensions

[04:44-05:55]

• Confidential Ministerial Dinner:
  Ministers will meet in "one plus one" format (minister + aide, no phones) to discuss sensitive topics off the record, including US-EU relations and the upcoming Munich Security Conference.

• US Representation at Munich:
  Notable U.S. presence with Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Trump administration), following up last year’s attention-grabbing appearance by Vice President J.D. Vance.

4. European Industry Summit in Antwerp: Industrial Policy Takes Center Stage

[05:55-09:36]

• Who’s Attending:
  Major political heavyweights including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

• Significance & Choreography:
  The summit is now mainstream, illustrating the EU’s pivot to industrial policy in response to global competition, especially from China in sectors like electric vehicles.

• Antwerp Declaration Background:
  The summit produced the landmark “Antwerp Declaration” in 2024—the industry’s counterbalance to the Green Deal, pushing for deregulation and a “clean industrial deal.”

  • Quote (Ian):
    "Less than two or three years ago, this was very much a thing that was being pushed by business leaders...now...the EU has changed. The prominent leaders are here talking about industrial policy." [06:42]
  • Quote (Zoya):
    "You've got Brussels, where EU regulation is made, and now you've got Antwerp. Their industry calls for EU regulation to be unmade. So it's kind of a yin and yang." [06:58]

• Sectoral Lobbying:
  Carmakers, represented by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, are seeking EU support to revive declining car production and reduce reliance on non-European supply chains.

  • Quote (Ian):
    "Car makers...want to use this meeting to make that case...of how Europe can be less reliant on the rest of the world." [07:47]

• Germany’s Stake & China’s Rise:
  German industry’s existential worries about falling behind China in electric vehicles justify the summit attendance of Chancellor Merz.

• Strategy Synchronization:
  The summit’s timing is meant to directly influence leaders at the upcoming European Council, showcasing coordinated EU policymaking machinery.

• NGO Pushback:
  Environmental NGOs argue that deregulation is being prioritized over the green transition, warning of risks to environmental protections.

  • Quote (Zoya):
    "These NGOs are saying deregulation is not an industrial strategy. That’s their message." [09:36]
    "They’re warning that if you roll back the green deal rules to revive the economy, that that’s going to have all sorts of problems..."

5. Brussels City Politics: Bart De Wever’s “Miracle” Offer

[10:25-11:49]

• Antwerp & Brussels:
  Bart De Wever, Antwerp’s mayor and summit host, claims he could fix Brussels city governance in five years—and do it cheaper.

• Political Satire & Deadlock:
  The co-hosts joke about the improbability of breakthroughs, likening local leaders’ boasts to Trumpian-style promises. Remarkably, Brussels has lacked a new government for 612 days.

  • Quote (Ian):
    "That's nearly two years." [11:41]
  • Quote (Zoya):
    "It's like saying that you might solve the war in Ukraine and Russia in a day." [11:01]

• Personal Anecdotes:
  Lighthearted exchange about everyday “miracles” needed in Brussels—like fixing cobblestones to prevent tripping hazards.

6. Listener Engagement & Lighthearted Closer

[12:38-14:00]

• Audience Feedback:
  The hosts share pub recommendations from listeners and banter about karaoke favorites.

  • Quote (Zoya):
    "Thank you to all who've written in or sent us voice notes...get a personal message from Zoya if you send one in." [12:45]
  • Quote (Zoya):
    "Speaking of karaoke, what's your karaoke song, Brussels? That's what I want to know." [13:40]

• Cheerful Sign-Off:
  Classic, repartee-heavy sendoff with a plug for subscribing and a preview of Sarah Wheaton joining Zoya in the next episode.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Ukraine’s Autonomy:
  Zoya: "The only people who know what Ukraine needs are Ukrainians. They're the ones who are best positioned to decide whether they want to spend this money on EU weaponry or if they want to go somewhere else." [02:54]

• On Brussels' Logistical Challenges:
  Zoya: "24 languages, 24 problems, Ian." [04:41]

• On EU Bureaucracy:
  Ian on translation lag: "Well, that's such a EU problem, isn't it?" [04:38]

• On Governance Gridlock:
  Ian: “That’s nearly two years.” [11:41]
  Zoya: "It's like saying that you might solve the war in Ukraine and Russia in a day." [11:01]

• Personal Touch:
  Zoya, after tripping on Brussels’ cobblestones: "I'm not allowed to say that word. I was going to say I went ass over tit, but I don't think that'll make the cut. Yeah, it was not my finest moment." [12:24]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:02] – EU Defence Ministers and Ukraine’s Integration
• [02:09] – €90 Billion Ukraine Funding Debate
• [03:42] – SAFE Defence Program Approvals
• [04:49] – Off-the-Record Ministerial Dinner, US-EU Relations
• [05:55] – European Industry Summit in Antwerp
• [07:47] – Carmakers Lobbying, German Concerns over China
• [09:36] – NGO Response to Deregulation
• [10:25] – Bart De Wever & Brussels City Politics
• [12:38] – Listener Feedback and Karaoke Banter

Tone and Style

The episode is conversational, fast-paced, and peppered with banter between Zoya and Ian. Political reporting is blended with wry commentary and personal anecdotes, maintaining clarity while keeping the content approachable and engaging.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode:

If you need a briefing on the EU’s current debates over aid to Ukraine, the drive (and backlash) for streamlined industrial policies, or are curious about political gridlock in Brussels, this episode provides a quick, lively, and insightful roundup—plus a dash of local wit.