MOSCOW: The Russian rouble edged down early on Friday as oil prices fell slightly, but losses were checked by dollar sales for upcoming tax payments.
At 0710 GMT, the rouble was 0.3 percent weaker against the dollar at 64.55 and had lost 0.2 percent to trade at 71.14 versus the euro.
Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's main export, was down 0.5 percent at just under $46 a barrel.
"The rouble has become visibly more responsive to swings in the crude oil market," Maxim Korovin, an analyst at VTB Capital, said in a note.
"Companies have already accumulated the necessary amount of roubles to pay dividends, so a portion of hard currency offer is off the market," Korovin said, adding that once dividends had been paid the rouble could come under some pressure.
The Russian currency fell around 1 percent against the dollar on Thursday after a Kremlin economic aide said the rouble was starting to get too strong.
Andrei Belousov's comments reflect official worries that a stronger rouble could exacerbate a budget shortfall and make Russian industry less competitive.
The central bank, which likes a stronger rouble as it helps to bring down inflation, responded on Thursday by saying it had no plans to influence the exchange rate.
Exporters have been converting a portion of their foreign-currency earnings into roubles in recent days ahead of monthly tax payments next week, preventing steeper losses in the Russian currency.
Russian shares were also lower on Friday.
The dollar-denominated RTS index was down 0.7 percent to 940 points, while the rouble-based MICEX was 0.1 percent lower at 1,925 points.
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