Asian shares mixed amid Ukraine, sanctions, energy worries

Asian shares are mixed as Western nations moved to tighten sanctions against Russia and President Vladimir Putin escalated tensions by ordering Russian nuclear forces put on high alert

TOKYO -- Asian shares were mixed Monday as Western nations moved to tighten sanctions against Russia and President Vladimir Putin escalated tensions by ordering Russian nuclear forces put on high alert.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 recouped early gains to inch up nearly 0.1% in morning trading to 26,493.03. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.5% to 7,032.90. South Korea's Kospi edged up 0.2% to 2,682.98. Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped 0.9% to 22,567.84. while the Shanghai Composite lost 0.5% to 3,434.22.

Global stock markets have been turbulent since Russia invaded Ukraine last week. Stocks have swung wildly amid uncertainty about how much Russia’s invasion will push up inflation, particularly oil and natural gas prices, and drag on the global economy.

Although the Asian region is unlikely to suffer direct damage from the war in Ukraine, higher energy prices are likely to prove devastating, especially for oil-importing nations like Japan.