European stocks back off four-week high amid Ukrainian developments

European stocks declined on Friday for the third straight session away from four-week highs on profit-taking as investors shun risks amid Ukrainian developments and new western sanctions on Russia.

Markets continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine closely amid little progress in peace talks, while the west continues to increase economic sanctions on Russia.

Dow Jones Stoxx Europe 600 fell 0.1% as of 09:10 GMT, closing down 0.2% yesterday on active profit-taking.

The Stoxx Europe index fell away from four-week highs with most sectors in the red, led by the banking sector which fell 0.8% on profit-taking. 

yesterday, NATO announced sending additional troops to neighboring countries to Ukraine, while imposing yet more sanctions Russian elites, and sending billions of dollars of aid to Kiev.

In Europe, the euro stoxx 50 fell 0.1%, while France's CAC 40 declined 0.2%, as Germany's DAX slipped 0.1%, while London's Financial Times 100 declined 0.3%.

S&P 500 fell 0.2% after closing up over 1.4% yesterday following powerful labor data from the US.

US unemployment claims fell to 187 thousand, the lowest rate since 1969 , and far lower than expectations of 212 thousand.