Oil prices were little changed after rising more than 2% in the previous session, amid US statements about the possible sale of confiscated Venezuelan oil and Ukraine's attacks on russian ships and berths, which increases concerns about supply disruptions.
This is reported by Economic Pravda with reference to Reuters.
The report said that Brent crude futures fell by 6 cents, or 0.1%, to USD 62.01 a barrel. US WTI crude fell by 9 cents, or 0.16%, to USD 57.92 a barrel.
On Monday, Brent showed its best daily result in the past two months, while WTI rose the most since November 14.
"The crude oil market is entering the final weeks of 2025 with largely muted prices, reflecting a tug-of-war between persistent bearish fundamentals and sporadic bullish headlines," Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at brokerage Phillip Nova, wrote in a note.
Prices have bounced off geopolitical news at times throughout 2025, Sachdeva said, but the bigger picture remains weak demand + oversupply.
However, the market remains cautious as traders weigh geopolitical risks against expectations of ample supply in early 2026, making prices vulnerable to any prolonged disruptions.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump said the United States could keep or sell oil seized off the coast of Venezuela in recent weeks as part of his pressure campaign on Caracas that includes a "blockade" of sanctioned tankers entering and leaving the country.
Meanwhile, russia and Ukraine have continued to strike each other's facilities in the Black Sea, a key export route for both countries.
Russian forces reportedly attacked the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa on Monday night, damaging port infrastructure and a ship, the second strike on the region in less than 24 hours.
In response, a Ukrainian drone attack damaged two ships, two piers and caused a fire in a settlement in russia's Krasnodar Krai, local authorities said on Monday.
Ukraine has also been targeting russian maritime logistics, including "shadow fleet" tankers that are trying to circumvent sanctions imposed on Moscow during the nearly four-year war.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, oil prices rose on Monday, December 14, as supply disruptions related to escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela outweighed concerns about oversupply and the impact of a possible peace deal between russia and Ukraine.
Who we are: About us, Contacts. How we write news and our principles: Editorial code. We did our best. If you found this valuable – please support us.
To request a correction, please send an email.