European shares closed at a record high on Thursday, as investors cheered upbeat earnings from German industrial giant Siemens, while sentiment was also buoyed by signs that Russia's nearly three-year-long conflict with Ukraine could end soon.

European stock markets rose on Thursday while gas prices fell after US President Donald Trump said talks with Russia would begin “immediately” to end the war in Ukraine. Germany’s Dax closed up 2.1 per cent and France’s Cac 40 gained 1.

Here is the full statement signed by a group of major European powers, including the Britain, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, and the EU High Representative: “We are ready to enhance our support for Ukraine.