NATO warns Moscow Abandon a belligerent foreign policy Cooperate with the West or face a military coalition prepared for conflict on the eve of a week of intense diplomacy aimed at avoiding a Russian attack on Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the U.S.-led defense pact is ready for an “armed conflict in Europe” if talks fail, as officials ready to discuss Agreed with Moscow on reducing the scale of military exercises, arms control and a commitment not to deploy U.S. missiles in Ukraine.

Russia has deployed about 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine in recent months, raising fears of new attacks it plans to launch against the country it invaded in 2014 and annex Crimea.

Vladimir Putin has threatened military action if the U.S. and NATO ignore Moscow’s demands for a defense deal that would severely weaken U.S. and NATO capabilities in Europe.

What do you think of NATO’s warning to Russia?Share your thoughts with us [email protected]. Thanks for reading FirstFT Europe/Africa — Jennifer

Five more stories in the news

1. UK financial regulators review cloud computing The Prudential Regulation Authority is exploring ways to get more data from cloud providers Amazon, Microsoft and Google amid growing fears of disruption or possible hacking Seriously disrupt the banking system It’s becoming more and more dependent on them.

2. Kazakhstan Security Crackdown Kazakhstan authorities said 164 people killed Nearly 6,000 people were detained amid warnings of continued action against protesters labelled “terrorists” with the help of Russian-led forces.The country’s former intelligence chief Arrested on suspicion of treason, alluding to a political power struggle in the turmoil.

3. UK companies bullish on 2022 prospects UK business leaders reportedly plan to expand operations and increase investment in the coming year three surveys Released today, despite concerns from bosses about the impact of labor shortages and the Omicron variant.

4. U.S. rate hike forecast in March despite weak job growth Fed expected to raise interest rates as early as MarchEconomists said the focus shifted from monthly job creation amid strong wage growth and falling unemployment. Data released on Friday showed that sharp slowdown in the number of new jobs in December.

5. N26’s Mistakes in Global Expansion and Crypto: Co-Founder Max Tayenthal admits that the 7.8 billion euro German online bank eager to be global Too soon to miss out on the cryptocurrency boom as it struggles to justify its status as one of the most valuable fintech companies in Europe.

coronavirus digest

• reinfection Covid-19 infections are on the rise early in the pandemic as Omicron Variants spread.Stress is threatening to overwhelm American Test System.

• Influential Tory MP Mark Harper urges Boris Johnson end all restrictions exist UK At the end of this month or face a revolt within the party.

• Rating agency Fitch warned that Prohibited to travel abroad may prevent companies from using Hongkong as their regional headquarters.

• Xi’an Residents report multiple incidents of neglect in China strictest lockdown Since the outbreak in Wuhan two years ago.

• Samsung Q4 profits forecast to surge as Covid recovers Driving semiconductor demand.

• View: Pandemic survey will show UK ill-prepared for Covid, Matthew Taylor wrote, chief executive of the NHS Federation.

the day ahead

Novak Djokovic court hearing The court will decide whether to proceed expel the tennis champion He is exempt from Covid-19 vaccinations ahead of next week’s Australian Open.

• Related Reading: Djokovic can count on rock solid support Fans from his hometown in Serbia. Financial Times Viewpoint It is inconvenient, not outlawed, that vaccine hesitancy is a better path.

UK opposes energy plan Labour will go proposal Help businesses facing higher electricity costs with a “£600m emergency fund to support struggling businesses, including energy-intensive industries”.

• related: Former British Cabinet Secretary Amber Rudd will join in Centrica’s Board of Directors.

Unemployment in the EU Data for November is expected to be fall Below pre-pandemic levels; however, wage increases seem unlikely. (Wall Street Journal)

Covid restrictions Fully vaccinated people will no longer need to self-isolate if they have been in close contact with an infected person Belgium. The French Senate will Check the bill This promises to ban unvaccinated people from certain premises.Joe Biden Vaccine Authorization For large companies it is due to take effect.

what are we still reading

EU and the City of London As Britain marks the anniversary of its departure from the single market, bankers and officials are confirming a broader picture: The financial sector is not making a drastic move to the EU, the City of London is endure slow punctures This can take decades to play out.

Is the supply chain disruption over? The CEO of DSV, one of the world’s largest logistics groups, described the situation as “The worst I’ve ever seen” For more than three decades, the company has been squeezed between frustrated shipping lines and angry customers. Delays are expected to continue in 2022.

Why a 0.007% Yield Can Be Dangerous If you want to gauge the precariousness of financial sector sentiment, you can look at one of the most prosaic financing mechanisms in the global economy: a centuries-old trade finance product called bankers’ acceptance. But its use in China shows that it is not without risks in practice, Patrick Jenkins wrote.

The $3 Trillion Apple: The Tim Cook Mystery Two years after Steve Jobs’ death, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison claims Apple will inevitably struggle under Tim Cook – he Say, you just have to look at what happened to the company after Jobs was ousted in 1985. Rarely is a prediction so wrong.

How Super Readers Read 52 Books in One Year How do they do it? Where do they find time? What did they give up?This Expert advice It is to get up early, treat bad literature severely, skim, skim, skim.

house and home

There are some really delicious things to find while cleaning up for Christmas. However, winter isn’t going anywhere, and the next few weeks of cold, dark days are just around the corner. Don’t let this frustrate you.Luke Edward Hall Details How to Bring Winter Joy into Your Home.