MOSCOW: The rouble hit its lowest levels since early 2016 against the euro on Wednesday, battered by concerns that Moscow's ties with the West may deteriorate further over the alleged poisoning of an opposition leader and the crisis in Belarus.
The rouble has bucked a generally positive mood on global markets this week and higher prices for its main export, oil, amid concerns Moscow might offer to prop up Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko or intervene in the political crisis there.
The rouble fell as low as to 89.8050 against the euro, its weakest since February 2016, and 76.0025 versus the dollar in volatile trade, a level last seen in April. It had been as strong as 70-per-euro in early-2020. The rouble pared some losses to trade around 89.35 against the euro as of 1400 GMT, and 75.59 versus the dollar.
On equity markets, the dollar-denominated RTS index rose 0.2%, swinging up and down in volatile trade.
The Kremlin has also declined for now to investigate circumstances surrounding Alexei Navalny's sudden illness which German doctors said could be down to poisoning.
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