Commenting on the latest talks with Ukraine, “there are certain positive shifts, negotiators on our side tell me,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on Friday, as reported by Reuters. Putin refrained from sharing any additional details on the matter. Putin further noted that sanctions have only made them stronger in the past. Earlier in the day, Putin noted that they could allow volunteers to fight against Ukrainian forces and added that they have approved handing over captured arms to Russian-backed rebel fighters. Putin’s latest comment helped market mood improve. The US Dollar Index turned south with the initial reaction and erased its daily gains to turn flat near 98.50. Meanwhile, US stock index futures were up between 0.8% and 1%.