March 10 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble strengthened to

a more than one-week high on Monday, brushing aside U.S.

President Donald Trump's threat of imposing large-scale

sanctions on Russia as Washington pushes Moscow and Kyiv to

negotiate a peace deal.

The rouble is up against the dollar this year, mostly thanks

to expectations of improved relations between Moscow and

Washington that could produce some conflict resolution in

Ukraine and possible easing of sanctions against Russia.

By 0841 GMT, the rouble was up 1.5% at 88.62 to the

dollar in over-the-counter market trade, reaching its strongest

level since late February.

Trump threatened Moscow with banking curbs and tariffs on

Friday, days after pausing military aid and intelligence support

to Ukraine, but has also offered a conciliatory view of

President Vladimir Putin and his military tactics.

On Monday, Russian forces were advancing in the Kursk

region.

"We do not believe that threats of tougher sanctions and

negative rhetoric from the U.S. authorities will rapidly

escalate as negotiations with Russia are in the initial phase

and our authorities are willing to negotiate," said

Promsvyazbank analyst Denis Popov.

Against the Chinese yuan, the most traded foreign currency

in Russia, the rouble was up 0.5% to 12.07.

Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's

main export, was down 0.1% at $70.28 a barrel.