MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Russian rouble stayed flat against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday as the first day of Donald Trump’s presidency did not produce any major Russia-related news.
The rouble traded at 100.75 to the dollar by 0845 GMT, over-the-counter market data showed. The rouble strengthened by 0.8% to 13.72 against China’s yuan in trading on the Moscow Stock Exchange (MOEX).
“The geopolitical factor does not yet have a direct influence on the Russian foreign exchange market,” Bank of St. Petersburg analysts said.
The rouble started the year slumping to its weakest level since March 2022 but has strengthened by about 10% since, becoming the best performing currency across emerging markets in 2025.
The rouble is supported by increased forex sales by the state and stronger prices for oil, Russia’s main export commodity, which offset the impact of the U.S. energy sanctions imposed on Jan. 10.
One-day rouble/dollar futures, which trade on MOEX and are a guide for the over-the-counter exchange rate, were down 0.4% at 101.73. The Russian central bank set the official exchange rate at 101.96.
