Rubles MOSCOW, Jan 10 At the beginning of the year, exchange rates will be affected by the same factors as which operated throughout 2021. These are, first of all, geopolitical statements and events, as well as the risks of an intensification of the pandemic, Alexey Krichevsky, an expert of the Academy of Finance and Investment Management, told the Prime agency. He recalled that a number of European countries and territories had already introduced a tough lockdown and other restrictions at the end of last year. … Others may follow suit in 2022. «73% of infections in the US are associated with the omicron, so new restrictions may follow there too. This will negatively affect investor sentiment regarding risky assets, which include the ruble,» the expert said. 
The expert explained the reason for the attractiveness of ruble assets in 2022 Speaking about geopolitics, he recalled the risks of sanctions and another aggravation of relations between Europe, the United States and Russia — in addition to possible verbal interventions, actions … If nothing like this happens, in the coming weeks the ruble will be trading in the range of 72 — 74 units per dollar and 82 — 84 — per euro. Omicron and geopolitics may lead the Russian currency to a significant drawdown.
