THE ruble will probably be stronger than previously expected but is likely to remain weaker than 60 rubles per dollar, Russia’s Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said Saturday.

    “The ruble will probably be stronger than we supposed earlier,” Ulyukayev told Vesti on Saturday with Sergei Brilev, a current affairs program on state TV channel Rossiya 1.

    “But it seems to me that the base will be 60 (rubles per dollar) plus,” he said, responding to a question about what level exporters and the population should expect.

    The ruble hit a record low of 86 per dollar in mid-January, but has since rebounded to 68.39 on the back of stronger oil prices.

    Ulyukayev did not say how long he expected the ruble to remain weaker than 60 rubles per dollar, but said the currency would be stronger than previously expected because this year’s budget would be more conservative than previously planned.(SD-Agencies)