LONDON — European markets were mixed on Monday as Western powers prepare more sanctions against Russia following allegations of civilian massacres in Ukrainian towns.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 fluctuated either side of the flatline in early trade, with industrials shedding 0.6% while health-care stocks added 1.2%.
Ukraine’s top prosecutor said 410 bodies had been found in towns recaptured from retreating Russian forces around Kyiv as part of an investigation into possible war crimes, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of genocide. Russia has denied allegations that its forces killed civilians in Bucha, 23 miles northwest of Kyiv.
The European Union plans to introduce fresh sanctions against Moscow in the wake of the new reported atrocities, with European Council President Charles Michel announcing on Twitter that “further EU sanctions & support are on their way.”
Shares in Asia-Pacific were mostly higher on Monday, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index leading gains as shares of Chinese tech climbed after a recent signal by Chinese authorities of progress toward resolving an audit dispute, which had threatened U.S.-listed Chinese firms with delisting.
Stateside, stock futures pointed fractionally lower in early premarket trade.
In terms of individual share price movement in Europe, German takeout company Delivery Hero surged more than 11% after launching a debt financing syndication equal to around $1.55 billion.
At the bottom of the Stoxx 600, Sweden’s Storskogen Group slipped 4% after a directed share issue.
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Read More: European markets cautious amid talk of further Russia sanctions