PRECIOUS-Gold hits 1-week high as Russia-Ukraine tensions boost rush to safety

* Ukraine hits Russia with US missiles for first time * Silver at 1-week peak, palladium at a near 2-week high * Several Fed officials due to speak this week * Market sees 63% chance of 25 bps US rate cut in December (Adds settlement price and update prices as of 1842 GMT) By Sherin Elizabeth Varghese Nov 19 (Reuters) - Gold prices climbed for a second consecutive session on Tuesday, hitting a one-week high as mounting Russia-Ukraine tensions sparked a rush for safe-haven assets, while investors awaited key signals on the Federal Reserve's interest rate plans. Spot gold XAU= rose 0.6% to $2,628.76 per ounce by 01:42 p.m. ET (1842 GMT), hitting its highest level since Nov.11. U.S. gold futures GCv1 settled 0.6% higher at $2,631 per ounce. On Monday, gold jumped 2%, marking its biggest one-day rise since mid-August and rebounding sharply from a two-month low hit last week. "We think that the overnight reports on Russia changing its nuclear doctrine following Ukraine's first long-range missile strike on Russian territory has led to some safe-haven flows in gold," said Daniel Ghali, commodity strategist at TD Securities. "Barring another consolidation in prices, speculative investors just don't have enough dry powder in their war chest for gold to resume its upward trajectory at this juncture." Gold's allure is bolstered by geopolitical tensions, economic risks and a low interest rate environment. Multiple Fed officials are scheduled to speak this week, which could offer further insights about the rate-cut path. Traders currently see a 63% chance of a 25-basis-point cut in December. FEDWATCH "Since the arguments in favour of gold have not diminished, the lower price level is apparently leading to buying interest," Commerzbank analysts noted. Geopolitical uncertainty, central bank buying, and swelling deficits in the United States and other western nations are further supporting gold, the bank said. Also supporting bullion was the dollar's pullback that comes after a strong rally last week to a one-year high fuelled by the Trump trade euphoria. A weaker dollar makes gold more appealing to buyers in other currencies. USD/ Among other metals, spot silver XAG= added 0.1% to $31.17, hitting a one-week high earlier in the session. Platinum XPT= gained 0.5% to $971.66. Palladium XPD= rose 2.8% to $1,032.99, hitting a near two-week high after rising more than 5% on Monday. <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Spot gold price in USD per oz https://reut.rs/3AJMpIF ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by Sherin Elizabeth Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel, Shounak Dasgupta and Mohammed Safi Shamsi) (([email protected]))