Feb 18 (Reuters) - In a holiday-shortened week, futures

linked to Canada's main stock index edged higher on Tuesday as

investors prepared for key economic data releases later in the

day.

March futures on the S&P/TSX index rose by 0.22% at

6:23 a.m. ET (11:23 GMT).

Market participants anticipate the release of Canadian

consumer price data for January at 08:30 a.m. ET.

Minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's January meeting,

where interest rates were maintained at 4.25% to 4.5%, are

expected on Wednesday.

Oil prices extended their gains from the

previous session following a drone attack on an oil pipeline

pumping station in Russia, which curtailed flows from

Kazakhstan.

In Riyadh, U.S. and Russian officials engaged in the

highest-level discussions to date between the two former Cold

War rivals, focusing on ending the conflict in Ukraine.

A resolution to the conflict is anticipated to ease

sanctions on Russia, potentially leading to a decrease in global

crude prices.

Meanwhile, the threat of tariffs somewhat receded as global

attention shifted to the developments in the Ukraine conflict

involving U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian

counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

Earlier this month, Trump initiated a trade conflict by

imposing tariffs on Mexico and Canada. He later paused them but

maintained duties on Chinese goods.

Gold prices continued their upward momentum, driven

by persistent demand for safe-haven assets.

The S&P/TSX composite index on Friday fell 215.28

points, or 0.8%, to 25,483.23.

In corporate news, a Bombardier CRJ900 operated by

Delta Air Lines ( DAL ) overturned upon landing at Toronto

Pearson Airport on Monday amid windy conditions following a

snowstorm, resulting in injuries to 18 of the 80 passengers.

Furthermore, data revealed that foreign investors purchased

a net C$14.37 billion ($10.13 billion) in Canadian securities in

December.

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