FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Defense stocks came under heavy selling pressure in late Friday morning trading. In the Dax and MDax, Rheinmetall, Renk, and Hensoldt all shed more than 5 percent. Shares of Czechoslovak Group (CSG) plunged as much as 10 percent, hitting a fresh record low.

Market speculation emerged regarding a potential deal between Ukraine and Russia that could potentially bring the war, which has been ongoing since 2022, to an end. The movement was triggered by comments from Ukrainian negotiator Kyrylo Budanov in a Bloomberg News interview, which were widely circulated. However, the interview in question dates back to April 4./ag/jha/