The ruble strengthened after President Vladimir Putin promised several economic reforms, including an amnesty on capital returning to Russia and a freeze on taxes. The Russian currency had fallen sharply when Putin began the speech with harsh criticism of the West over the crisis in Ukraine and defended Moscow's policy there.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
The Moscow Times: Ruble drops sharply as Putin begins state of union address
A Russian ruble coin is pictured in front of the Kremlin in central Moscow, on Nov. 20, 2014.
