Oil prices jump, shares sink as Russian troops enter Ukraine

By ELAINE KURTENBACH
AP Business Writer

BANGKOK (AP) — Oil prices have surged nearly 5% and stock prices dropped after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered forces into separatist regions of eastern Ukraine, bringing a long-feared invasion a step closer. U.S. futures also skidded after Wall Street was closed Monday for Presidents Day. Western powers have feared Russia might use skirmishes in Ukraine’s eastern regions as a pretext for an attack on the democracy, which has defied Moscow’s attempts to pull it back into its orbit. The U.S. and European Union condemned Russia and prepared to hit President Vladimir Putin’s administration and supporters with sanctions.