Rouble eases, stocks up ahead of Russia-US talks

MOSCOW: The Russian rouble eased slightly on Wednesday, shrugging off higher oil prices and lacking momentum ahead of talks between Russian and U.S. diplomats.

The rouble shed 0.1 percent to 63.11 against the dollar as of 0741 GMT and had lost 0.2 percent to trade at 76.59 versus the euro.

"Russian financial assets continue to be in an idealess mode, following capital flows rather than particular news," said Rosbank, the Russian subsidiary of Societe Generale.

Relations between Moscow and Washington are in focus again. Energy Minister Alexander Novak said he met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to discuss energy issues and U.S. sanctions on Russia.

On Wednesday, Moscow expects U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton for talks with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and possibly President Vladimir Putin, part of an effort to lay the ground for a summit between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Russian stock indexes posted gains in early trade, pricing in higher oil prices. Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's main export, was up 0.4 percent at $76.73 a barrel.

The dollar-denominated RTS index was up 0.3 percent to 1,116.4 points, while the rouble-based MOEX was 0.3 percent higher at 2,237.8 points.