Reuters
The Russian rouble steadied above 69 to the dollar on Friday, buffeted by geopolitical tension as the United States piled more sanctions on Russia but retaining support from a favourable month-end tax period. Russia described new sanctions imposed by the United States over its actions in Ukraine as "absurd", saying they would make it more difficult for foreign companies to do business. The Russian currency should gain support from month-end tax payments, due on Jan. 30, when exporters usually convert foreign exchange revenue to pay local liabilities, but has struggled to make any strong moves this week.