Field trip to Russia, anyone?

Brussels Playbook Podcast

POLITICO

News, News Commentary, Politics

4.4 • 202 Ratings

🗓️ 7 May 2026

⏱️ 15 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Péter Magyar promised a full reset between Hungary and Brussels after Viktor Orbán’s defeat — but the EU may be ready to unlock only part of Hungary’s frozen billions. Zoya Sheftalovich, dialing in from Madrid, and Sarah Wheaton unpack the first possible tensions emerging between Brussels and post-Orbán Hungary. Then: a right-wing MEP is planning a trip to Russia — and inviting fellow lawmakers along. We discuss the controversy surrounding the proposed Moscow visit and the broader sensitivities regarding Russian influence in Brussels. And finally, from Madrid, Zoya brings us what Spanish politicians and officials are saying about Pedro Sánchez, Donald Trump and Spain’s growing political gridlock at home. We’d also love to hear from you: What does European identity mean to you? What makes you feel European — or not? Send a message to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Some follow the noise.
0:03.0	Bloomberg follows the money, whether it's the funds fueling AI or crypto's trillion-dollar swings.
0:08.9	There's a money side to every story.
0:11.4	Get the money side of the story.
0:13.5	Subscribe now at Bloomberg.com.
0:18.4	Buenos deers.
0:20.0	It's Thursday, May 7, and this is the Brussels Playbook podcast.
0:27.9	The vibe in Brussels today is, well, it's cautiously reconciliatory as Brussels opens the door to Hungary again,
0:38.4	but keeps its options open.
0:41.0	Also on the pod, a right-wing MEP is planning a field trip to Russia.
0:46.1	And we check in on Spain, where Pedro Sanchez's Trump problem is colliding with Spain's own
0:50.9	parliamentary gridlock.
0:52.8	I'm Zora Shafdanovich, and with me today as one of our policy editors, Sarah Wheaton.
0:56.7	Hey, Sarah.
0:57.6	Hey, Zoya, how tall?
0:59.8	I am here alone in the studio.
1:01.7	Where are you?
1:03.3	Well, I am in Madrid.
1:05.6	More on that a little later.
1:06.7	It's very exciting.
1:07.9	But first, let's get into today's main stories.
1:12.5	Sarah, the first thing we're going to talk about today is Hungary's frozen EU billions.
	...

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