MOSCOW, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble

strengthened for the seventh consecutive session on Wednesday

after U.S. President Donald Trump said the lifting of sanctions

imposed on Russia over the Ukraine war could be on the agenda

"at some point".

At 0830 GMT the rouble was up 0.4% at 86.20 against

the dollar in the over-the-counter market. The rouble crossed

the 86 mark against the dollar to hit 85.50, strongest since

August 7, during the trading session.

The rouble weakened by 0.4% to 11.72 against China's yuan,

the most traded foreign currency in Russia, but was still

trading at a highest level since last August. Many analysts said

that some correction was now inevitable.

"The rouble is heavily overbought. Therefore, a corrective

weakening of the rouble is simply necessary," Alor brokerage

analyst Alexei Antonov said. Analysts see 85 to the dollar as

the strong resistance level.

The Russian currency has gained about 24% against the dollar

and 15% against yuan this year, mostly on expectations of better

relations with the United States. Russia's stock market index

rose to the highest level since May 2024.

Dollar/rouble futures on MOEX, which serve as guidance for

over-the-counter rates, were up 0.3% at 87.46. The central bank

set the official exchange rate to the dollar at 88.21, the

highest since early August.