Oil Prices Edge Lower as Market
Awaits Clarity on Russia-Ukraine Tensions

Muscat, 30 Dec 2025 (ONA) — Oil
prices dipped slightly in today’s trading session, following a rally of over
two percent in the previous session. The earlier surge was triggered by
Russia’s allegation that Ukraine had targeted the residence of President
Vladimir Putin.

The market is now focused on
discerning signals from Ukrainian peace negotiations to gauge potential risks
to global supply. Brent crude futures for February delivery, which expire
today, fell six cents to $61.88 a barrel by 00:00 GMT. The more heavily traded
March contract declined to $61.45. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude
futures dropped four cents to $58.04 per barrel.

Both major crude benchmarks had
settled more than two percent higher on Monday after Moscow’s accusation, which
stoked immediate fears of a significant supply disruption.

Kyiv has firmly denied the Russian
allegation, calling it groundless and a deliberate attempt to sabotage ongoing
peace talks.

A renewed escalation in geopolitical
tensions threatens to amplify existing supply concerns, creating upward
pressure on oil prices.

— Ends/Khalid