Trump administration briefing: US backs Russia ahead of G7, Republican spending bill boosts defense

The US has reportedly rejected a Canadian proposal to establish a task force that would tackle Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of oil tankers and pushed to soften language on Moscow ahead of a G7 foreign ministers meeting this week. In negotiations to agree a joint statement on maritime issues, the US is pushing to strengthen language about China while watering down wording on Russia, the reports said. The move comes amid growing fears in Europe that Washington is turning away from its western allies and towards Moscow; as Russia increased attacks on Ukraine last week Donald Trump said "anyone in…