Russian rouble strengthens ahead of U.S.-Russia talks

MOSCOW, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble strengthened against the U.S. dollar and China's yuan on Tuesday ahead of talks between U.S. representatives and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on how to end the war in Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner will meet Putin for talks on a possible way to end the deadliest European conflict since World War Two.

At 0900 GMT, the rouble was 0.3% stronger at 77.50 against the dollar in over-the-counter trade and 0.22% stronger at 11.08 against the yuan on the Moscow Stock Exchange, where it is the most traded foreign currency.

The rouble reacted strongly to geopolitical factors in the past, rallying on prospects of a peaceful settlement in Ukraine and tumbling on new Western sanctions.

"The reaction to the negotiations on the Ukrainian issue could be strong," Alor brokerage analysts said.