MOSCOW, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble remained

on the stronger side of 100 to the dollar on Thursday but

stopped its three-day strengthening streak that followed the

inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The rouble had weakened by 0.4% to trade at 99.65 to

the dollar by 0820 GMT, over-the-counter market data showed. The

rouble was 0.4% weaker against China's yuan at 13.59 in trading

on the Moscow Stock Exchange (MOEX).

On Jan. 21, the rouble briefly hit its highest level against

the dollar since Nov. 6, 2024.

The rouble, supported my market optimism about easing of

Russia-U.S. tensions and by increased sales of forex by the

state, has been strengthening despite the latest U.S. sanctions,

that targeted Russia's energy sector.

"After a significant rollback of foreign currencies, the

pace of the rouble's strengthening may slow down. The potential

for the weakening of the dollar is already small," BCS brokerage

analysts said.

One-day dollar/rouble futures, which trade on MOEX and are a

guide for the over-the-counter exchange rate, were up 1.1% at

101.1, suggesting that the rouble could return to the weaker

side of the 100 level to the dollar in the coming days.

The Russian central bank set the official exchange rate at

98.28.