European markets opened slightly higher on Monday, as regional defense and geopolitical uncertainty remain in focus.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 was up by around 0.1% shortly after the opening bell, with major bourses trading in mixed territory.
Geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Europe are likely to be a focus for European markets this week as U.S. officials prepare for talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, with officials in Kyiv and Europe being left out of the discussions.
European leaders are holding an emergency summit in Paris on Monday to discuss how to respond to President Donald Trump’s apparent decision to sideline Europe, and how to guarantee the country’s security in future.
Overnight, Asia-Pacific markets traded mostly higher as investors parsed Japan’s fourth-quarter economic growth data, while awaiting a slew of central bank decisions from Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand this week.
U.S. financial markets are closed on Monday for the Presidents Day holiday.
