ladimir Putin says exchanging roubles for dollars is a “doubtful venture” because of uncertainty over what the dollar could do next. The Russian Prime Minister was speaking in an attempt to calm fears over the stability of the currency which has been weakened by the dollar-euro exchange rate’s current two year low.

The dollar has recently enjoyed its highest boost for two years. Thousands of Russians are eager to change their money into dollars on the back of rumours that the rouble was about to weaken dramatically against the US currency.

Eugene Fazleev works in asset management and is also an active blogger. Many of his friends have asked him for advice.

“Many letters and blogs that circulated were written in such a way as if to deliberately stir up panic. To me it was a clear sign that …