European markets climb on reports over Ukraine talks progress

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy London’s stock markets swung higher on the back of reports claiming Russian President Vladimir Putin said there were “positive shifts” in talks with Ukraine, which his forces invaded two weeks ago. Early strong gains following the Interfax coverage pulled back slightly as traders became more tentative but still helped the FTSE close higher as leisure firms had a strong day. It’s a strange world where markets rally on comments from the Russian president but that’s what happened during the session today Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, said: “It’s a strange world where markets rally on comments from the Russian president but that’s what happened during the session today. “There is, as yet, no sign of any real deal emerging and Russia’s previous aims still appear to be in place, so this rally might go the way of so many others of late, with markets still unable to find the foundations for a sustainable bounce.” The other major markets in Europe saw similar increases, with volatile Dax striking a week high before pulling back slightly.