Shares in Russian exposed companies bore the brunt of selling pressure across European equity markets on Thursday after Russian forces launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, raising the prospect of tougher sanctions.

British consumer spending edged up in the week to Feb. 17, but other measures were hurt by a series of winter storms which hit the country, weekly data from the Office for National Statistics showed on Thursday.

MILAN (Reuters) -Telecom Italia (TIM) is considering selling its stake in mobile tower group INWIT to French investment fund Ardian as part of its efforts to shore up its finances, a source close to the matter said on Wednesday.

European Central Bank policymakers are gathering on Thursday for what may have suddenly become a crisis meeting as Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatens to derail economic growth in the euro zone and complicate the ECB's path out of negative interest rates.

Czech President Milos Zeman, who had in the past promoted warm relations with Moscow, said on Thursday Russia's attack on Ukraine was "crime against peace" and required a response through harsh sanctions including cutting the country from the SWIFT international payments system.

PARIS (Reuters) -French jet engine maker Safran said on Thursday it had enough titanium reserves for several months after increasing stocks of the metal since the start of the year as Western aerospace companies brace for fallout from the Ukraine crisis.