LONDON: European and Asian stock markets diverged on Thursday and bitcoin hit a record high while oil prices climbed about 2 per cent on the eve of landmark talks between US Presi­dent Donald Tru­mp and Russian counterpart Vladi­­mir Putin on potentially ending the Ukraine war.

Trump warned of “severe consequences” if his talks with Putin fail , also expectations of a US interest rate cut next month could also spur oil demand.

Brent crude futures rose $1.03, or 1.6pc, to $66.66 a barrel at 1:32 p.m. EDT (1732 GMT), while US........

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