** Australian energy stocks .AXEJ fall as much as 2% to 8208.7, their lowest level since January 25, 2022
** Crude oil prices have eased on Friday as investors grappled with a fading Middle East risk premium alongside uncertainty about a potential peace deal in Ukraine O/R
** Oil and gas major Santos STO.AX is down 2.8%, while Woodside Energy WDS.AX slips 0.5%
** YTD, sub-index down 5%
(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)
((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com;))