Oil prices rise on renewed Russia-Ukraine tensions

PanARMENIAN.Net - Oil prices rose in Asia Friday, Aug 29, supported by renewed Russia-Ukraine tensions and upbeat U.S. economic data, analysts said, according to AFP.

U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October delivery was up 27 cents at $94.82 while Brent crude for October advanced 33 cents to $102.79 in afternoon trade.

Ukraine and the West said Thursday that Russian troops are actively involved supporting pro-Kremlin militias who have been fighting against Kiev's rule since April.

NATO said at least 1,000 Russian troops were on the ground in east Ukraine but Moscow insisted none of its soldiers were in the country.The United States warned it was considering new sanctions against Russia over the latest development.

Desmond Chua, market analyst at CMC Markets in Singapore, said fresh sanctions "may then trigger further retaliatory measures that would weigh on the euro bloc".

Stronger-than-expected U.S. economic growth data meanwhile raised hopes for stronger demand in the world's largest oil consumer.

The U.S. Commerce Department said Thursday the country's economy expanded at an annual rate of 4.2 percent in the second quarter, revising upward its July estimate of 4.0 percent.

Chua said the latest figure has placed the world's biggest economy "on track for growth forecasts which could spur a quicker pace of (monetary) tightening".

The U.S. Federal Reserve has previously signalled that it will only hike interest rates late next year, but market watchers say robust U.S. economic data could shorten the central bank's timetable.