Euro Falls 0.5% Against Dollar Amid France Unrest and Ukraine-Russia Tensions

Key summary

The euro weakened by 0.5% against the dollar in Asian trading on October 19 due to investor concerns over violent protests in France and ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Approximately 550,000 people participated in nationwide French protests on Saturday (October 17), including farmers, climate activists, trade unions, and students demanding action on fuel prices, cost of living, education, and public services. The French Ministry of the Interior reported 2,397 arrests for violent acts and 997 injured police and military officers. President Emmanuel Macron stated via live national television that the government would prosecute those causing violence, adding that 'those who destroy property must pay damages' and 'those who loot must make restitution.' Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Defense announced attacks on industrial and energy infrastructure in Ukraine, including the Zaporizhstal steel plant in the Zaporizhzhia region, oil-insulated transformer manufacturing facilities, a substation in the Sumy region supplying power to military-related enterprises, and a large metal processing plant in Kryvyi Rih. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused US President Donald Trump of pressuring Ukraine to surrender to Russia.