Major stock markets in Europe closed higher on Friday as the Russian troops kept advancing into Ukraine's interior, closing in on the capital of Kiev - all while denying any intentions to occupy the country.
The European Union has in turn responded with even graver sanctions, aiming at the total political isolation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Elsewhere, the European Commission reported on Friday that consumer confidence in the euro area declined in February.
The DAX gained 3.67%, with MTU Aero Engines AG jumping 7.73%, while the CAC 40 increased 3.55%, led by the 10.05% spike of ArcelorMittal SA. Furthermore, the FTSE 100 rose by 3.91%, boosted by Evraz PLC ORD's 19.53% climb. The euro improved by 0.51% against the dollar at 5:30 pm, selling for $1.12572. In comparison, the pound grew by 0.14% to go for $1.34094 at the same time.
