**Oil Prices Steady Amid Geopolitical Tensions**

Oil futures managed to maintain the gains from the previous trading session, despite efforts to push prices lower. The market stability was attributed to increased geopolitical risks following alarming developments in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Reports indicate that Ukraine has fired long-range missiles supplied by the United States into Russian territory. This action came just days after the U.S. gave the green light for the use of these missiles, escalating worries about a potential intensification of the conflict.

The latest developments added a significant risk premium to oil prices. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by 0.3%, settling at $69.39 per barrel. Meanwhile, Brent crude remained unchanged at $70.31 per barrel, reflecting the tense and uncertain geopolitical atmosphere.

The situation highlights the delicate balance between market prices and geopolitical events. As tensions continue to rise, both investors and analysts are keeping a close watch on the evolving dynamics, which could further impact oil prices in the near future.