MOSCOW: The Russian rouble opened slightly stronger on Tuesday, helped by a weaker dollar and looming tax payments.
At 0733 GMT, the rouble was 0.5 percent stronger against the dollar at 59.23 and had gained 0.4 percent to trade at 63.66 versus the euro.
The US dollar fell to a seven-week low against a basket of other major currencies on Monday and global stock markets were shaky over investor concerns about protectionist rhetoric by US President Donald Trump.
The Russian currency was also supported by tax payments falling due. Russian exporters will have to convert a portion of their foreign currency revenues into roubles.
"The Russian rouble will receive support until the end of the tax period and while the dollar remains under pressure on the world market due to uncertainty over Donald Trump's economic programme," said Grand Capital analyst Sergei Kozlovsky.
Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's main export, was up 0.6 percent at $55.58 a barrel.
Russian share indexes were also up.
The dollar-denominated RTS index was up 0.8 percent to 1,147 points, while the rouble-based MICEX was 0.5 percent higher at 2,156 points.
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