MOSCOW, March 21 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble steadied

on Thursday, supported by high oil prices as the market looked

ahead to Friday's central bank meeting, at which it is widely

expected to hold rates at 16% for the second meeting in a row.

At 0734 GMT, the rouble was 0.2% weaker against the dollar

at 92.39 and had lost 0.7% to trade at 101.00

versus the euro. It had shed 0.1% against the

yuan to 12.81.

President Vladimir Putin secured a landslide election

victory last week, extending his rule by a further six years.

His win was condemned as unfair and undemocratic by Western

governments, but he was congratulated by China, India, North

Korea and others.

The Russian market's focus has now turned to the central

bank. All 24 analysts polled by Reuters expect borrowing costs

to remain unchanged on Friday, but some have said there is a

slight chance of a hike.

Month-end tax payments that usually see exporters convert

foreign currency revenues to meet domestic liabilities should

also lend the rouble support.

Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's

main export, was up 0.5% at $86.41 a barrel. It reached its

strongest point since early November earlier this week.

Russian stock indexes were higher.

The dollar-denominated RTS index was up 0.8% to

1,122.8 points. The rouble-based MOEX Russian index was

0.8% higher at 3,293.3 points.

For Russian equities guide see

For Russian treasury bonds see