MOSCOW: The Russian rouble surged past the 100 mark against the US dollar on Tuesday, supported by forex sales by the central bank and exporting companies as well as by market optimism over the easing of Russia-US tensions. The rouble had strengthened by 1.2% to trade at 99.75 to the dollar by 1500 GMT, over-the-counter market data showed. The rouble was 1.6% firmer against China’s yuan at 13.62 in trading on the Moscow Stock Exchange (MOEX).

US President Donald Trump, who was inaugurated on Jan. 20, said he was ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss an end to the war in Ukraine. Putin said he was open to dialogue with the new US administration on Ukraine.

“Positivity is coming from both ends – externally due to the anticipation of potential talks between Trump and Putin with a possibly favourable outcome, and locally due to a currency offer from exporters,” a dealer at a major Russian bank said.