The US has demanded that Moscow remove an aid convoy it sent into eastern Ukraine without permission yesterday, accusing Russia of a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of its former Soviet neighbour and threatening more sanctions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to discuss Tehran’s nuclear programme with European Union leaders in Vienna this week, ahead of talks with Iranian negotiators in Moscow.

Oil prices were hovering close to their recent record high today after Russian producer Yukos was ordered by bailiffs to stop sales.