Oil Swings After Kremlin Cites Ukraine Neutrality Compromise

Oil has experienced one of its most tumultuous trading periods ever as rapid developments around the war in Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions drove wild price fluctuations that pushed volatility to historic levels. The conflict is raging on despite efforts for a cease-fire, while the market keeps a keen eye on the worst coronavirus outbreak in China since the pandemic began.

The extent of the liquidation in the market shows up in open interest figures. Holdings in oil futures have fallen to the lowest since 2015, across the main Brent and WTI contracts.

Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said there’s hope to reach an agreement in negotiations with Ukraine, though they are not going easily. That came after Russian President Vladimir Putin told European Council President Charles Michel that Ukraine “is not showing a serious attitude toward finding mutually acceptable solutions” in talks on ending the fighting, the Kremlin said.

Since Wuhan two years ago, China has had relative success in minimizing disruption by bringing virus cases quickly under control. Now, the geographic spread of infections and the higher transmissibility of omicron is challenging its Covid Zero strategy. The Federal Reserve, meanwhile, is expected to start tightening monetary policy on Wednesday, adding to the bearish sentiment.

Separately, the American Petroleum Institute reported U.S. crude stockpiles rose by 3.75 million barrels last week, while Cushing inventories climbed by 2.3 million barrels, according to people familiar with the figures. The Energy Information Administration will report official data on Wednesday.