West Texas Intermediate crude surged to a five-month high as Brent advanced amid escalating tension between Ukraine and Russia , the world’s biggest energy exporter. WTI climbed 2.3 percent. Ukraine mobilized its army reserves as Russia seized control of the Black Sea region of Crimea. The U.S. is weighing sanctions against Moscow during the worst standoff between the West and Russia since the Cold War ended. Futures also gained on speculation that supplies at Cushing, Oklahoma, slid for a fifth time last week. “The Russian foray into the Crimea is jacking up the geopolitical premium in the market,” said Gene McGillian , an analyst and broker at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. “The bulls are having their way and the rally continues.” WTI for April delivery gained $2.33 to $104.92 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange , the highest settlement since Sept. 19. Volume was 49 percent […]