This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26429659

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Global markets steady as Ukraine impact fears ease Global markets steady as Ukraine impact fears ease
(32 minutes later)
Global markets have steadied on Tuesday, with Russian markets up 5%, after concerns about Ukraine sparked a sell-off on Monday.Global markets have steadied on Tuesday, with Russian markets up 5%, after concerns about Ukraine sparked a sell-off on Monday.
Markets across Europe were higher on Tuesday, with the FTSE 100 up 1.7% and Frankfurt's Dax up 2.2% at midday.Markets across Europe were higher on Tuesday, with the FTSE 100 up 1.7% and Frankfurt's Dax up 2.2% at midday.
The recovery came despite Russia's threat to abandon the US dollar as the country's reserve currency.The recovery came despite Russia's threat to abandon the US dollar as the country's reserve currency.
And Russia's top gas producer Gazprom also said it would remove a discount on Ukraine gas prices from April.And Russia's top gas producer Gazprom also said it would remove a discount on Ukraine gas prices from April.
However, Alexei Miller, chief executive of the Russian state gas producer, said Gazprom could lend Ukraine between $2bn (£1.2bn) and $3bn to pay off the country's debt of over $1.5bn.However, Alexei Miller, chief executive of the Russian state gas producer, said Gazprom could lend Ukraine between $2bn (£1.2bn) and $3bn to pay off the country's debt of over $1.5bn.
The offer comes after Ukraine told Gazprom it would be unable to pay in full for gas deliveries in February, according to Russian news agency Interfax.The offer comes after Ukraine told Gazprom it would be unable to pay in full for gas deliveries in February, according to Russian news agency Interfax.
Shares in Gazprom rose 7.9%, recovering some of Monday's 13% fall on fears the state-owned firm could be ordered to stop gas deliveries to Ukraine and Western Europe.Shares in Gazprom rose 7.9%, recovering some of Monday's 13% fall on fears the state-owned firm could be ordered to stop gas deliveries to Ukraine and Western Europe.
No more US dollarsNo more US dollars
Meanwhile, a team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is currently in Ukraine and will remain there for 10 days, to assess the economy and begin negotiations over a potential bailout.Meanwhile, a team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is currently in Ukraine and will remain there for 10 days, to assess the economy and begin negotiations over a potential bailout.
Ukraine's interim government said on Monday it had asked the IMF for rescue loans, saying it needed $35bn to pay its bills over the next two years.Ukraine's interim government said on Monday it had asked the IMF for rescue loans, saying it needed $35bn to pay its bills over the next two years.
"We are ready to respond," IMF managing director Christine Lagarde said last week."We are ready to respond," IMF managing director Christine Lagarde said last week.
She said the body was also discussing with its international partners how best to help Ukraine "at this critical moment in its history".She said the body was also discussing with its international partners how best to help Ukraine "at this critical moment in its history".
US President Barack Obama has said Washington is considering economic sanctions to "isolate Russia".US President Barack Obama has said Washington is considering economic sanctions to "isolate Russia".
But on Tuesday Russian President Vladimir Putin said those considering sanctions should think of the damage they may incur.But on Tuesday Russian President Vladimir Putin said those considering sanctions should think of the damage they may incur.
However, in a move that further calmed markets, he told a news conference he saw no need to use military force in Ukraine's Crimea region at present.
The MICEX share index was up 5.2%, while the rouble rose 0.9% to 36.17 against the dollar.
Kremlin economic aid Sergei Glazyev had earlier been quoted as saying that if the US imposed sanctions, Russia "would find a way not just to reduce our dependency on the United States to zero but to emerge from those sanctions with great benefits for ourselves".Kremlin economic aid Sergei Glazyev had earlier been quoted as saying that if the US imposed sanctions, Russia "would find a way not just to reduce our dependency on the United States to zero but to emerge from those sanctions with great benefits for ourselves".
He said Russia would figure out a way to use a new payment system that was not reliant on US dollars for international transactions.He said Russia would figure out a way to use a new payment system that was not reliant on US dollars for international transactions.
The EU has also threatened sanctions, but on Monday a British official was photographed holding policy documents that suggest the UK will not seek to curb trade with Russia or close London's financial centre to Russians.The EU has also threatened sanctions, but on Monday a British official was photographed holding policy documents that suggest the UK will not seek to curb trade with Russia or close London's financial centre to Russians.
"The lack of coherent response from the West may actually be providing some reassurance to traders that things won't escalate too far, with the reasoning being that the only thing the West will be firing towards Russia are harsh words," said Jonathan Sudaria, a dealer at London Capital Group, in a note to clients."The lack of coherent response from the West may actually be providing some reassurance to traders that things won't escalate too far, with the reasoning being that the only thing the West will be firing towards Russia are harsh words," said Jonathan Sudaria, a dealer at London Capital Group, in a note to clients.
Oil prices also dropped, with Brent crude down 1.6% to $109.40 a barrel, as investors believe the threat of supply disruption due to the Ukrainian crisis has decreased.Oil prices also dropped, with Brent crude down 1.6% to $109.40 a barrel, as investors believe the threat of supply disruption due to the Ukrainian crisis has decreased.
The price of gold, which normally rises when investors fear global risk, fell by 1% to $1,338.05 on Tuesday.The price of gold, which normally rises when investors fear global risk, fell by 1% to $1,338.05 on Tuesday.