The Russian ruble USDRUB, +0.26% suddenly dropped versus the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, following a report by the Financial Times that the U.S. and European Union were close to agreeing new sanctions against Russia. The sanctions are aimed at Moscow's actions towards Ukraine in the Sea of Azov, according to the report. The ruble slipped in response, having spent much of the session in the green like other emerging market and risk-sensitive currencies as the dollar broadly weakened. Against its Russian rival, however, the buck climbed to a high of 66.252 ruble at the peak. One dollar last bought 65.882 ruble, compared with 65.809 late Monday in New York.