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Oil prices remained largely stable in Asian trading on Friday, with traders assessing diplomatic developments between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia while anticipating a crucial OPEC+ meeting that could shape the global crude supply outlook for early 2026. Brent crude futures for January hovered at $63.35 per barrel, while WTI crude futures rose 0.6% to $59.02, supported by expectations of a potential Federal Reserve rate cut next month. Both benchmarks were on track to gain more than 1% for the week, recovering slightly from recent volatility.
Market sentiment was influenced by renewed diplomatic efforts led by Washington to advance a revised peace framework aimed at ending the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine. The proposal, reportedly discussed in Geneva, outlines phased security guarantees and territorial arrangements that Western officials hope could serve as the basis for broader negotiations with Moscow. Any meaningful progress could gradually ease sanctions-related pressure on Russian oil exports, potentially lowering the geopolitical risk premium priced into crude markets.
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that the U.S.-Ukraine draft could be a foundation for future talks but emphasized that no agreement had been finalized and that Moscow would not make significant concessions. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to visit Moscow next week, a move that could slightly temper supply concerns, though analysts remain skeptical of an imminent breakthrough.
At the same time, the oil market is looking ahead to the upcoming OPEC+ meeting. The alliance is widely expected to maintain current production levels rather than raise output. Delegates have indicated the group will likely prioritize a long-planned capacity review as it weighs rising non-OPEC production against uneven global demand. Analysts at ING noted that fundamental conditions remain broadly similar to those at the previous meeting, suggesting no major policy shifts are expected.
