PRECIOUS-Gold prices gain on softer dollar, Russia-Ukraine jitters

* Bullion hits its highest since Nov. 11 * Putin issues warning to U.S. with new nuclear doctrine * Fed's Schmid: Uncertain how far interest rates can fall (Adds comment, graphics, details and updates prices) By Daksh Grover Nov 20 (Reuters) - Gold prices rose to a one-week high on Wednesday, marking a third consecutive session of gains, driven by a softer dollar and escalating Russia-Ukraine tensions that raised the demand for safe-haven assets. Spot gold XAU= added 0.2% to $2,636.59 per ounce by 0538 GMT, its highest since Nov. 11. U.S. gold futures GCv1 climbed 0.3% to $2,639.80. The U.S. dollar's rally paused after gains last week, making bullion more attractive to buyers holding other currencies. USD/ Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks, days after reports said Washington had allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-made weapons to strike deep into Russia. "The U.S. authorization and Russia's response, which could lead to use of a tactical nuclear weapon, is contributing to market uncertainty, boosting safe-haven assets like gold," said Ilya Spivak, head of global macro, Tastylive. Elsewhere, several Federal Reserve officials this week are expected to potentially shed light on the U.S. rate cut trajectory. Currently, traders see a 58.9% chance of a 25-basis-points cut in December. Recent strong data and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs have pointed to rates remaining higher for longer. FEDWATCH The market is adjusting its expectations for the Fed's cuts next year as inflation is becoming a bigger concern, which could be negative for gold, Spivak added. Higher rates reduce the appeal of non-yielding gold. Meanwhile, Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid said that it remains uncertain how far rates can fall, though the initial reductions are a vote of confidence that inflation is returning to its 2% target. "I doubt gold will simply reach a new high and bears are lurking below $2,700 to short it down to $2,400," said Matt Simpson, senior analyst at City Index. Spot silver XAG= fell 0.2% to $31.14, platinum XPT= shed 0.3% to $971.54 and palladium XPD= edged 0.3% lower to $1,031.92. <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Spot gold price in USD per oz https://reut.rs/490P5Ox ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad and Daksh Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona, Sumana Nandy and Sherry Jacob-Phillips) (([email protected]))