European shares were flat at the opening on Thursday, as tensions over Ukraine increased after the US said Russian claims of a partial troop withdrawal from the region were false.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was up by 0.27% in early deals. Wall Street was weaker overnight and US futures indicated a softer opening.
The US on Wednesday accused Russia of adding 7,000 troops to the 150,000 already camped at the Ukrainian border, branding as “false” the Kremlin’s claims that it had begun a partial withdrawal of its military presence.
A meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels concludes on Thursday.
Investors were also digesting the latest minutes from the US Federal Reserve, which showed officials had started preparing to raise interest rates and unload the trillions of dollars of bonds on the central bank’s balance sheet.
In equity news, shares in Asia focused bank Standard Chartered fell as it missed annual earnings estimates.
Reckitt Benckiser shares rose as the consumer goods company suffered an £804m annual operating loss caused by the sale of its Chinese infant formula business but was upbeat about growth.
French luxury goods maker Kering jumped after the company reported sharp growth in fourth-quarter sales as marketing investments and 100th anniversary events helped boost the popularity of its top Gucci brand.
Airbus rose 1.2% after the world’s largest plane maker predicted 720 jetliner deliveries and higher profits this year.
Commerzbank gained after the German lender swung to a better-than-expected fourth-quarter and painted an upbeat outlook for 2022.
Carrefour shares rose as the French supermarket chain after reporting an improved outlook and higher profits on Wednesday.