The stock markets first rebounded from previous lows after news emerged that Kremlin might accept a continuation of the talks and thus that a diplomatic solution might be possible. The Russian President Vladimir Putin showed his support for Russia continuing discussions with the United States and its allies after his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had described the proposals put forward by Washington as "constructive."
However, the United States rejected Russia's main demand for assurances that NATO will not allow Ukraine to become a member but offered to discuss limits on missile deployment in Europe and restrictions on military exercises.
But CBS later reported that Russia had placed its troops in positions to launch an attack, according to satellite images, sparking new fears of an imminent invasion of Ukraine, which pushed stocks to daily lows.
On top of everything, fears regarding a more aggressive decision by the Federal Reserve on its monetary policy also emerged in the market. The central bank member Bullard reiterated his conviction about the need for raising rates by 0.50% at the next meeting and even drastically reducing the Fed's balance sheet by selling bonds in the market.
For this reason, and despite the enormous geopolitical tensions that normally bring bond yields lower, the 10-year benchmark shot up to 2.00% after falling to 1.92% the day before.
This brought a strengthening of the dollar, which in the case of EUR/USD lost 50 pips and traded again below 1.1300. The pair is under additional pressure due to the tensions in Ukraine since Europe would be the most vulnerable area in the event of war escalations. Additionally, the EUR/USD pair was also affected after the European Central Bank gave signs of retracting its more restrictive position.
Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters.
