The ruble declines against world currencies on Monday, December 7, during the first hour of operation of the Moscow Exchange. The first transactions in the US dollar took place on the ETS in the range of 68.41–68.64 rubles/$, on average in one and a half minutes the rate was 68.56 rubles/$ (+42.5 kopecks to the previous close). The euro cost 74.51 rubles/euro (+45 kopecks). The bi-currency basket amounted to 71.24 rubles. (+43.5 kopecks), Interfax reports.

As of 11.10 Moscow time, the dollar is trading at 68.52 rubles, the euro – at 72.26 rubles. The maximum rate at which transactions were made with these currencies in the first hour of the exchange’s operation was 68.68 rubles. and 74.66 rubles.

On December 7, the Bank of Russia lowered the official dollar exchange rate to 67.67 rubles. The euro, on the contrary, according to the Central Bank's estimates, rose to 73.67 rubles. The bi-currency basket thus amounted to 70.37 rubles.

The ruble follows the trends of the oil market. As of 11.10 Moscow time on the Intercontinental Exchange in London, the price of January futures for North Sea oil Brent dropped to $42.91 per barrel, WTI – to $39.64 per barrel.

The dollar exceeded 68 rubles