(Corrects to show WTI prices were down, not up, in paragraph 2)

By Yuka Obayashi

TOKYO (Reuters) -U.S. crude futures eased in early trade on Friday, trimming part of the previous day’s surge but remaining on track for a weekly gain, as fresh U.S. sanctions on Russia’s two biggest oil companies over the war in Ukraine fuelled supply concerns.

Brent crude futures fell 17 cents, or 0.3%, to $65.82 by 0024 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 17 cents, or 0.3%, at $61.62.

Both benchmarks jumped more than 5% on Thursday and were set for about a 7% weekly gain, the biggest since mid-June.

Russian President Vladimir Putin remained defiant on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump hit Russia’s Rosneft and Lukoil with sanctions to pressure the Kremlin leader to end the

See Full Page