The international crisis between Ukraine and Russia is having a strong impact on the markets.
This Tuesday, the European stock markets fell at the opening: the Paris Stock Exchange lost 1.61% to 6,678.72 points, that of Frankfurt 2.13%, that of London 1.20% and that of Milan 2.25 %.
The Eurostoxx 50 index, a European benchmark, lost 1.79%.
The losses come just hours after a speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin in which he recognized the independence of pro-Russian separatist territories in eastern Ukraine, bringing the crisis with Ukraine into a new dimension.
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For the past few days, the markets have reacted strongly to the threats that are weighing on international relations.
On Tuesday, the Tokyo Stock Exchange closed sharply lower, for the fourth session in a row, down 1.71%.
Yesterday, the European stock markets also ended in sharp decline, 2.04% for Paris, more than 2% in Frankfurt and Milan.
The reactions to the speech of the Russian president were not long in coming: the United States announced new sanctions on Monday evening.
An executive order issued by Joe Biden banned any new investment, trade or financing by American persons to, from or within the pro-Russian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in southeastern Ukraine.
For its part, the European Union will decide on Tuesday on the first sanctions against Russia, announced the head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell.