European stocks close: stocks closed lower due to escalating tensions over Ukraine

Stock indices closed lower due to escalating tensions over Ukraine. Market participants continue to monitor developments in Ukraine. Ukrainian government accused Russian forces of crossing the Ukrainian border late on Wednesday. Russia has denied the allegations.

The weaker-than-expected economic data also weighed on markets. German preliminary consumer price inflation was flat in August, in line with expectations, after a 0.3% rise in July.

On a yearly basis, German preliminary consumer price index rose 0.8% in August, in line with expectations, after a 0.8% gain in July.

The number of unemployed people in Germany climbed by 2,000 in August, missing expectations for a decrease of 6,000.

German unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.7% in August.

Eurozone's M3 money supply increased 1.8% in July, beating expectations for a 1.5% increase, after a 1.6% rise in June. June's figure was revised up from a 1.5% gain.

Private loans in the Eurozone declined 1.6% in July, missing expectations for a 1.5% fall, after a 1.8% decline in June. June's figure was revised down from a 1.7% drop.

Eurozone's business climate indicator fell to 0.16 in August from 0.17 in July.

Eurozone's Industrial confidence decreased to -5.3 in August from -3.8 in July.

Eurozone's economic sentiment index dropped to 100.6 in August from 102.1 in July. July's figure was revised down from 102.2.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,805.8 -24.86 -0.36%

DAX 9,462.56 -107.15 -1.12%

CAC 40 4,366.04 -29.22 -0.66%