Investing.com - Crude oil futures were higher during early European trading hours on Friday, as concerns over ongoing tensions in Ukraine persisted.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange,West Texas Intermediate crude oil for delivery in June traded at $100.67 a barrel during European morning trade, up 0.40%.
Prices slid 0.51%, or 51 cents, on Thursday to settle at $100.26.
Futures were likely to find support at $99.81 a barrel, the low from May 7 and resistance at $102.20 a barrel, the high from April 29.
On Thursday, pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine ignored a public call by Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone a referendum on self-rule. They said they plan to go ahead on Sunday with a vote that many fear could lead to a civil war.
Senior EU diplomats reached a preliminary agreement on Wednesday to expand the legal criteria for imposing sanctions on Russia, with the goal of making it easier to freeze the assets of companies involved in the Ukraine crisis.
Russia produced 10.4 million barrels of oil per day in 2012 and exported 7.4 million, making it the world's second largest oil exporter after Saudi Arabia.
Meawhile, traders were also monitoring international talks over Iran's nuclear program. A two-day meeting between Teheran and six world powers was held in New York this week.
Elsewhere, on the ICE Futures Exchange, Brent oil for June delivery rose 0.39% to trade at $108.42 a barrel, with the spread between the Brent and crude contracts standing at $7.75 a barrel.
