Ukraine intends to change the name of the currency 'kopeck' to 'shah', thus marking a break from Soviet influence.

Ukraine plans to abandon the name 'kopeck' for its currency, a symbol of the Soviet era, and adopt the historic term 'shah', announced the governor of the National Bank, Andriy Pyshny. This change could take place this year, as part of a reform aimed at emphasizing the break from Russian heritage. Pyshny highlighted the importance of eliminating ties with Moscow, stating that Ukraine has its own tradition that deserves to be claimed. The national currency, the hryvnia, was introduced in 1996, but the subdivision 'kopeck' has been retained. The new name 'shah' was historically used in the 16th–17th centuries and during the Ukrainian Revolution from 1917–1921. The central bank has initiated public consultations to promote this change, and Parliament will debate the law for the official replacement of the currency. The decision is part of a series of measures through which Ukraine seeks to break symbolic ties with Russia, in the context of a negative attitude of the population towards Moscow. The transition to the new currency will not involve additional costs, with the current unit of 50 kopecks set to be gradually replaced by 'shah'.