Good morning.
It’s set to be a tumultuous day on markets after Russian President Vladimir Putin stepped up the assault on Ukraine.
The Russian leader ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine after recognising them as independent on Monday, sparking fears of a full-blown conflict.
Asian markets slumped, and the FTSE 100 is set to follow suit. Fears of disruption in energy markets sent natural gas prices surging 13pc, while oil prices pushed towards $100 a barrel.
5 things to start your day
1) The City takes on Brussels in ‘high stakes poker’ over Brexit freedoms EU-era regulations under scrutiny as bloc ramps up plans to poach clearing off London
2) Lotus courts investors to capitalise on China’s electric car revolution British supercar maker hopes China’s middle-class can be its new growth engine
3) Richard Branson’s Hyperloop slashes half its staff in cargo shift Redundancies follow exodus of executives at vacuum-based transport company
4) British regulator wades into Sir Nick Clegg’s battle with Google Search giant’s…
