Russia escalates Ukrainian tensions

Following weeks of increasing tensions between Russia and the West over the amassing of troops near the Ukraine borders in Russia, Crimea and Belarus, Russia has announced it recognizes the disputed regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent and begun moving in troops. The situation has hurt risk sentiment for weeks, with global equity indices moving to the downside, whilst safe havens such as gold and government bonds have seen gains. As Russia made its announcement, after a fiery speech from President Vladimir Putin, equity markets opened sharply to the downside, though recovered much of the losses throughout the day, showing that, for the time being, markets have priced in much of the negativity. The West also hit back today with a round of sanctions, though more are planned. The situation remains uncertain and fluid, dependent on if the situation escalates or deescalates from here.