Ukraine, which has seen renewed conflict with pro-Moscow separatists and is also struggling with economic growth, seems to have taken a pause in selling its gold holdings.

It sold about 16 tonnes of gold in October and November, but Tuesday's data showed that its bullion reserves were steady at 23.64 tonnes in December.

Turkey, however, lowered gold holdings by 3.86 tonnes to 529.12 tonnes.

Dutch gold reserves up for 1st time in 16 years, Russia buys more