Rouble eases towards 62 against dollar

The Russian rouble weakened towards 62 against the dollar on Monday, steered by internal market flows and capital controls, while stock indexes extended losses after the latest Western sanctions.

At 0731 GMT, the rouble was 0.9 per cent weaker against the dollar at 61.46, stabilising in the relatively narrow range of 60.0-62.5 in the past few days after rapid swings in May.

Against the euro, the rouble shed 0.8 per cent to 65.31 , heading away from a near seven-year high of 57.10 hit on May 25.

The rouble on Moscow Exchange is driven by capital controls that Russia imposed to protect its financial system after sending troops into Ukraine.

The currency remains much weaker at banks. VTB, Russia's second-largest lender, offered to sell dollars and euros for 84.00 and 89.00 rouble respectively.