Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

US equity futures are surging ahead of the open following comments from Ukrainian President Zelensky's Deputy Chief of Staff Ihor Zhovka that he is "ready for a diplomatic solution."

Zhovka said that the country is ready to discuss neutrality, needs a security guarantee, but confirmed that Ukraine "won't trade a single inch of territories," and is insisting on a clear response to its EU application.

Notably stocks surged to yesterday's highs, but did not extend gains further (for now).

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Crude is getting clobbered as geopolitical risk premia are discounted...

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And safe havens are being dumped with gold briefly back below $2000...

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JPMorgan (JPM) noted that while Ukraine is no longer insisting on NATO membership, EU membership would give similar protections.

Of course this is the start of negotiations so no matter how distasteful it is to Putin, there may still be a way forward.