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Oil tops $100 and shares sink as Russia invades Ukraine Oil tops $100 and shares sink as Russia invades Ukraine
(32 minutes later)
Oil prices have surged past $100 (£74) a barrel to hit their highest level for more than seven years after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine.Oil prices have surged past $100 (£74) a barrel to hit their highest level for more than seven years after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine.
Global shares fell and the price of gold rose as investors worried about the possible impact of the conflict.Global shares fell and the price of gold rose as investors worried about the possible impact of the conflict.
Russia is the second biggest exporter of crude oil, and is also the world's largest natural gas exporter.Russia is the second biggest exporter of crude oil, and is also the world's largest natural gas exporter.
The price of oil topped $105 a barrel, and UK motoring groups said petrol prices had hit another record high.The price of oil topped $105 a barrel, and UK motoring groups said petrol prices had hit another record high.
The UK only gets 6% of its crude oil and 5% of its gas from Russia, but there are concerns sanctions could constrict supplies and drive up prices worldwide. The price of UK natural gas futures soared nearly 30% on Thursday.The UK only gets 6% of its crude oil and 5% of its gas from Russia, but there are concerns sanctions could constrict supplies and drive up prices worldwide. The price of UK natural gas futures soared nearly 30% on Thursday.
UK consumers are already paying a high price for energy and fuel, with demand surging following the easing of Covid restrictions.UK consumers are already paying a high price for energy and fuel, with demand surging following the easing of Covid restrictions.
Russia launches military operation in UkraineRussia launches military operation in Ukraine
What sanctions are being imposed on Russia?What sanctions are being imposed on Russia?
Both the RAC and AA motoring groups said average petrol prices hit a record high of 149.43p on Wednesday, with diesel at 152.83p.Both the RAC and AA motoring groups said average petrol prices hit a record high of 149.43p on Wednesday, with diesel at 152.83p.
The RAC said that if the oil price reached $110 a barrel the average price of petrol could hit £1.55 a litre.The RAC said that if the oil price reached $110 a barrel the average price of petrol could hit £1.55 a litre.
If prices do get this high it will "cause untold financial difficulties for many people who depend on their cars for getting to work and running their lives as it would sky rocket the cost of a full tank to £85", said the RAC's Simon Williams.If prices do get this high it will "cause untold financial difficulties for many people who depend on their cars for getting to work and running their lives as it would sky rocket the cost of a full tank to £85", said the RAC's Simon Williams.
News of Russia's actions led to steep falls on stock markets across Europe, with the UK's FTSE 100 index down more than 3% and Germany's Dax index falling more than 4.5%. Earlier, stocks in Asia had also fallen sharply.News of Russia's actions led to steep falls on stock markets across Europe, with the UK's FTSE 100 index down more than 3% and Germany's Dax index falling more than 4.5%. Earlier, stocks in Asia had also fallen sharply.
The price of gold - which is considered a haven asset in times of uncertainty - rose 2%. The price of gold - which is considered a haven asset in times of uncertainty - jumped 3% to its highest price in more than a year.
Will Russia-Ukraine tensions push up UK gas bills?Will Russia-Ukraine tensions push up UK gas bills?
Europe gas prices: How far is Russia responsible?Europe gas prices: How far is Russia responsible?
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said the oil price surge "was terrible news for businesses and consumers" because "it will serve to further stoke inflation".Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said the oil price surge "was terrible news for businesses and consumers" because "it will serve to further stoke inflation".
"Not only will energy bills keep going up, but food prices look set to jump even higher. Ukraine and Russia are both big food suppliers and any disruption to supplies will force buyers to seek alternative sources, which could jack up prices.""Not only will energy bills keep going up, but food prices look set to jump even higher. Ukraine and Russia are both big food suppliers and any disruption to supplies will force buyers to seek alternative sources, which could jack up prices."
The cost of living hit a fresh 30-year high last month as energy, fuel and food prices continued to soar, increasing the squeeze on household budgets. The UK's cost of living is rising at its fastest rate in 30 years, as energy, fuel and food prices continued to soar, squeezing household budgets.
Meanwhile, Mr Mould said the fall in the FTSE 100 "was bad news for the millions of savers and investors who have money in UK equities".Meanwhile, Mr Mould said the fall in the FTSE 100 "was bad news for the millions of savers and investors who have money in UK equities".
Europe gets nearly a third of its oil and around 40% of its gas from Russia, much of it flowing through pipelines across Ukrainian territory. Small wonder then that prices are shooting up.Europe gets nearly a third of its oil and around 40% of its gas from Russia, much of it flowing through pipelines across Ukrainian territory. Small wonder then that prices are shooting up.
Brent crude oil has gone above $100 a barrel, while prices for gas on wholesale markets - where domestic suppliers buy what they need - are up sharply as well.Brent crude oil has gone above $100 a barrel, while prices for gas on wholesale markets - where domestic suppliers buy what they need - are up sharply as well.
Supplies from Russia do not appear to have been affected - yet. But the fear that they will be, and that there could be a scramble for other resources, is pushing up costs.Supplies from Russia do not appear to have been affected - yet. But the fear that they will be, and that there could be a scramble for other resources, is pushing up costs.
Stock markets across Europe are tumbling, as investors fret about the potential economic impact of high energy prices and the potential for much wider sanctions as well.Stock markets across Europe are tumbling, as investors fret about the potential economic impact of high energy prices and the potential for much wider sanctions as well.
And as for Russian shares, a graph showing the performance of the MOEX stock exchange in Moscow looks like a cliff in the Ural mountains today.And as for Russian shares, a graph showing the performance of the MOEX stock exchange in Moscow looks like a cliff in the Ural mountains today.
Sanctions movesSanctions moves
In response to Russia's military action, European Union leaders said they would put more sanctions in place on Russia.In response to Russia's military action, European Union leaders said they would put more sanctions in place on Russia.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and sanctions on Russia, raise the prospect of disruption of agricultural products and raw materials from those countries.Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and sanctions on Russia, raise the prospect of disruption of agricultural products and raw materials from those countries.
The two countries combined are major wheat suppliers, producing 29% of global exports, most of which travels through ports in the Black Sea.The two countries combined are major wheat suppliers, producing 29% of global exports, most of which travels through ports in the Black Sea.
Russia also produces aluminium, cobalt, copper, diamonds, fertiliser, gold, nickel, palladium, platinum, titanium and steel.Russia also produces aluminium, cobalt, copper, diamonds, fertiliser, gold, nickel, palladium, platinum, titanium and steel.
The European Council said it would "impose massive and severe consequences on Russia for its actions".The European Council said it would "impose massive and severe consequences on Russia for its actions".
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said the sanctions "will target strategic sectors of the Russian economy by blocking their access to technologies and markets that are key for Russia".Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said the sanctions "will target strategic sectors of the Russian economy by blocking their access to technologies and markets that are key for Russia".
Russian assets in the EU will be frozen and Russian banks' access to European financial markets will be stopped, she said.Russian assets in the EU will be frozen and Russian banks' access to European financial markets will be stopped, she said.
"These sanctions are designed to take a heavy toll on the Kremlin's interests and their ability to finance war," she added."These sanctions are designed to take a heavy toll on the Kremlin's interests and their ability to finance war," she added.
The biggest economic hit would come from disconnecting Russia's banking system from the international Swift payment system, but that could also affect US and European economies.The biggest economic hit would come from disconnecting Russia's banking system from the international Swift payment system, but that could also affect US and European economies.
Swift said: "Any decision to impose sanctions on countries or individual entities rests solely with the competent government bodies and applicable legislators."Swift said: "Any decision to impose sanctions on countries or individual entities rests solely with the competent government bodies and applicable legislators."
The US and EU had already imposed a series of sanctions in response to Mr Putin's actions against Ukraine.The US and EU had already imposed a series of sanctions in response to Mr Putin's actions against Ukraine.
The UK has frozen the assets of five banks and three Russian billionaires, who have also been hit with travel bans.The UK has frozen the assets of five banks and three Russian billionaires, who have also been hit with travel bans.
On Tuesday, Boris Johnson said these sanctions were a "first barrage" and could be extended.On Tuesday, Boris Johnson said these sanctions were a "first barrage" and could be extended.
Germany froze final approval for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which connects the country with Russia and was set to boost Russian gas exports to the EU.Germany froze final approval for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which connects the country with Russia and was set to boost Russian gas exports to the EU.
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Watch: US announces full-blocking sanctions on RussiaWatch: US announces full-blocking sanctions on Russia