Moscow - Russian shares leapt to a five-month high on Tuesday after President Vladimir Putin asked the upper house of parliament to revoke Russia's right to send troops to Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists have been fighting troops loyal to Kiev.
The dollar-denominated RTS index rose more than 1 percent immediately after Russian news agencies reported Putin's move, citing his official spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The index was up more than 2.5 percent on Monday's close by 12:14 SA time, surpassing 1,400 points for the first time since mid-January.
The rouble was up 0.7 percent against the dollar from the previous close. - Reuters