MOSCOW, Jan 21 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble surged

past the 100 mark against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, supported

by forex sales by the central bank and exporting companies as

well as by market optimism over the easing of Russia-U.S.

tensions.

The rouble had strengthened by 1.2% to trade at 99.75 to the

dollar by 1500 GMT, over-the-counter market data showed. The

rouble was 1.6% firmer against China's yuan at 13.62 in trading

on the Moscow Stock Exchange (MOEX).

U.S. President Donald Trump, who was inaugurated on Jan. 20,

said he was ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and

discuss an end to the war in Ukraine. Putin said he was open to

dialogue with the new U.S. administration on Ukraine.

"Positivity is coming from both ends - externally due to the

anticipation of potential talks between Trump and Putin with a

possibly favourable outcome, and locally due to a currency offer

from exporters," a dealer at a major Russian bank said.

"However, there is a nuance, which is the risk of

uncertainty from the external environment, which could cause

swings in the currency market," added the dealer, who declined

to be identified.

The rouble started the year slumping to its weakest level

since March 2022, but has strengthened by about 10% since,

becoming the best performing currency across emerging markets in

2025.

The rouble is supported by increased forex sales by the

state and stronger prices for oil, Russia's main export

commodity, which offset the impact of U.S. energy sanctions

imposed on Jan. 10.