European stocks rallied at the start of trade on Wednesday, buoyed by an interview from Ukraine’s president in which he appeared to make major concessions.
The Stoxx Europe 600 SXXP, +2.33% rose 2.2% to 424.28, helped by a rally in the beleaguered banking sector.
Gainers included BNP Paribas BNP, +7.26%, Adidas ADS, +5.61% and Deutsche Post DPW, +5.28%.
Of the major regional indexes, the German DAX DAX, +3.59% surged 3.5%, the French CAC 40 PX1, +3.35% surged 3.1% and the U.K. FTSE 100 UKX, +1.84% gained 2.1%.
Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average YM00, +0.96% rose 323 points.
Volodymr Zelensky told ABC News that “I have cooled down regarding the question” of NATO membership and said he was open to dialogue on the fate of Eastern Ukraine republics, Donetsk and Lugansky, that Russia recognizes as independent.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week said Ukraine had no “serious prospect” of NATO membership. Russia’s and Ukraine’s foreign ministers are due to meet Thursday in Turkey.
“While the contours of the end of this war are becoming visible, that doesn’t necessarily mean the fighting will stop any time soon,” said Arne Petimezas, senior analyst at AFS Group.
Polymetal International POLY, +30.79%, the Anglo-Russian gold miner, surged 37%.
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