In a recent interview on a podcast by Rolling Stone UK, Bono, the lead singer of U2, spoke about his collaboration with Ed Sheeran on the song Yours Eternally. The track, which was inspired by a Ukrainian soldier, became a point of discussion when Sheeran expressed hesitation about getting involved in political topics. During the recording, Sheeran reportedly said in French, "Tu ne vas quand même pas me faire parler de politique, n'est-ce pas?" which translates to "You're not actually going to make me talk about politics, are you?" Bono responded by highlighting the soldier's admiration for Sheeran, and Sheeran ultimately emphasized his desire to maintain freedom of expression. Yours Eternally is part of U2's EP Day of Ash, released in February 2026. The EP touches on a range of political themes, including the death of Renee Good, an American killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the Israel-Gaza conflict. The EP reflects U2's continued engagement with global issues, a hallmark of their music for decades. Larry Mullen, U2's drummer, commented on the role of artists in political matters, stating that they have the right to choose whether or not to engage in political discourse. He also noted that it is not the place of others to criticize those choices. Brian Eno, a producer and collaborator with U2, added that time is necessary for both personal and collective evolution in awareness and understanding. Ed Sheeran, who has often been criticized for his political neutrality, made an unexpected statement during a concert in Philadelphia, calling the situation in Gaza "injustifiable." This marked a rare moment of political commentary for Sheeran, who had previously avoided such topics. His statement came after rapper Macklemore faced backlash for calling for "freeing Palestine" during two shows in early September. Macklemore was later removed from Sheeran's tour due to pressure from American stadium owners. Sheeran clarified on Instagram that the removal of Macklemore was not his decision and that he does not use his fame to make political statements. Some artists scheduled to perform with Sheeran and his musicians distanced themselves from him, resulting in a noticeable drop in his social media followers. Meanwhile, Macklemore announced a tour titled Free Palestine, which will include a stop in Paris.