Dollar firm in Asia

TOKYO: The dollar held steady in Asia on Tuesday as concerns over a Ukrainian clash with Russia eased, while investors looked to a speech by the US Federal Reserve chief this week.

In afternoon Tokyo trade, the greenback rose to 102.62 yen, from 102.57 yen in New York and 102.32 yen in Tokyo earlier Monday.

The euro was weaker at $1.3351 from $1.3363, while it bought 137.04 yen against 137.05 yen in US trade.

"There was a general easing of geopolitical tensions, with no new developments being good news in Ukraine and Gaza," National Australia Bank said in a note.

The Japanese yen and Swiss franc, considered safe-haven currencies in times of turmoil, notched up gains Friday after Ukraine said it had destroyed some Russian armoured cars, sparking fears of an escalation. Moscow dismissed the claim.

A weekend meeting of the two nations´ foreign ministers, which also involved officials from France and Germany, concluded with an agreement for the sides to meet again and continue trying to de-escalate the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War.

In the Gaza Strip, a new 24-hour ceasefire came into effect Tuesday after Israeli and Palestinian negotiators agreed to extend a five-day truce, minutes before a midnight deadline, to allow for further talks on a long-term deal.