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(Reuters) – European shares fell for a third straight session on Friday and were set to end the week lower, as the escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict kept investors cautious heading into the weekend.
Declines in financial and technology stocks countered gains in basic and defensive sectors, leaving the pan-European STOXX 600 index 0.2% lower.
On the week, STOXX 600 was set close about 0.4% lower, as lofty energy prices from sanctions on Russia fanned inflation fears and stoked worries about slowing economic growth.
The West imposed more sanctions on Russia on Thursday, and Washington was planning a response in the event that Moscow uses nuclear weapons.
Shares of Telecom Italia jumped 5.9%, extending gains after KKR said it remains interested in taking over the phone group.
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(Reporting by Susan Mathew in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)