FirstFT: US objects to phrase ‘Russian aggression’ in G7 assertion on Ukraine

At this time’s agenda: Meta’s “free speech” revamp; EU seeks to exchange Russian fertiliser; Scholz loses floor in Germany’s industrial heartland; and the reinvention of Dublin’s “Monk”

Good morning. The US has protested towards calling Russia the aggressor in a G7 assertion on the third anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in line with western officers. Right here’s what we all know.

What the US is objecting to: US envoys are against the phrase “Russian aggression” and comparable phrases which have been utilized by G7 leaders since 2022 to explain the battle in Ukraine. An official briefed on the matter stated: “The Americans are blocking that language, but we are still working on it and hopeful of an agreement.”

Why it issues: The Trump administration’s insistence on softening the language displays a broader shift in US coverage to explain the battle because the “Ukraine conflict”, folks acquainted with the matter stated. Altering the language on Russia additionally marks a distinction with final yr, when “aggression” was talked about 5 instances within the G7 leaders’ assertion.

Learn extra in regards to the dispute threatening to derail a conventional present of unity.

• Conflict in Ukraine: Kyiv’s defence intelligence unit rigged with explosives a batch of drone pilot goggles destined to be used by Russians on battlefields in Ukraine, stated officers with direct data of the operation.

Right here’s what else we’re preserving tabs on immediately and over the weekend:

• Financial knowledge: The US, UK, France, Germany and the Eurozone have flash buying managers’ indices immediately. The UK additionally stories January retail gross sales figures for Nice Britain and public sector funds.

• German election: Europe’s largest democracy will vote on Sunday amid acute concern about unfolding dangers to the nation’s safety and financial wellbeing. 

• Israel-Hamas deal: Hamas has pledged to launch six Israeli hostages forward of schedule on Saturday, as Israel accuses the militant group of substituting a hostage’s physique.

• Outcomes: French industrials group Air Liquide and Irish insulation big Kingspan report.

How properly did you retain up with the information this week? Take our quiz.

5 extra prime tales

1. The EU desires to exchange some fertiliser imports from Russia with “homegrown” merchandise processed from animal dung and urine to cut back revenues going to Moscow’s battle machine. The European Fee is anticipated this yr to approve using Renure, brief for “recovered nitrogen from manure”, to decrease prices and enhance effectivity.

2. Unique: Meta’s oversight board has clashed internally over Mark Zuckerberg’s “free speech” overhaul of content material moderation, because it rushes to seek out methods to carry the social media big to account over the adjustments. The unbiased physique tasked with ruling on delicate moderation points was not consulted on Zuckerberg’s U-turn, in line with folks acquainted with the matter. Learn the complete report.

3. Unique: The UK’s funding arm for worldwide improvement spent greater than £7mn on business-class flights prior to now two years, in line with newly disclosed knowledge obtained by the Monetary Instances. “I’m concerned to see an organisation funded by taxpayers to alleviate poverty running up high bills and arguably lavish expenditure,” stated an MP. Right here’s extra on British Worldwide Funding’s expenditures.

4. European shares have outpaced the US within the month since Donald Trump’s inauguration as hopes rise that the area would possibly escape a worst-case situation commerce battle. The EU had been braced to be a serious goal of Trump’s America First insurance policies after the US president pledged to impose across-the-board tariffs on the bloc, however none have but to take impact.

5. Citigroup is scaling again its insurance policies round range, the newest US firm to retreat from targets to advertise a extra inclusive workforce. Trump’s return to the White Home has intensified a backlash to range, fairness and inclusion targets, main firms to abandon objectives they’d put in place just a few years in the past. 

• Opinion: As US firms dial again DEI efforts, the College of Chicago’s Raghuram Rajan asks: was social accountability all the time simply performative political theatre?

Information in-depth

As Germany’s election marketing campaign heads into its last stretch, the temper within the Social Democratic stronghold of Ruhr highlights a way of political upheaval in Europe’s largest democracy. Anne-Sylvaine Chassany stories from Bochum to uncover why Olaf Scholz’s occasion is shedding floor in Germany’s industrial heartland.

We’re additionally studying . . . 

Chart of the day

Any lease above £100 per sq ft was as soon as distinctive in London’s enterprise district. However these costs have turn out to be extra commonplace as firms compete for ultra-premium area to lure workers again to the workplace. Joshua Oliver appears at how builders are in a position to earn these rents.

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