The head of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andriy Pyshny, has said that the country may abandon kopecks and switch to a historical small monetary unit, the “shag.” In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, he explained that this step is part of the processes of decommunization and decolonization.
“Kopecks are the “garbage” that Moscow deliberately left behind, and which still connects us with Russia, Minsk and Tiraspol. Nowhere in the world do they use kopecks anymore, except for these places,” Pyshny said.
According to him, the transition to “shags” does not require additional budget expenditures, and kopecks will be withdrawn from circulation gradually.
The head of the NBU hopes that the parliament will make the necessary decision this year, despite the summer vacation period.
“By September 2, 2026, when the hryvnia turns 30, we must give it a symbolic gift – to finally get rid of Moscow’s influence. But I really hope that this will happen before the end of this year,” he added.
