gold futures climbed sharply on thursday topping the key 1900 mark to settle at their highest since june of last year if russia invades ukraine it will come with sanctions that will see the country all but locked out of the global financial system said kyle roda market analyst at ig in emailed commentary for many stores of value will be required and the russian central bank might be forced to sell dollars and increase its gold reserves april gold gcj22 rose 3050 or 16 to settle at 1902 an ounce prices based on the mostactive contract settled at their highest since early june of last year factset data show