In the first reading, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported the bill to rename the change coin from 'kopeck' to 'shag'. This decision was supported by 264 members of parliament. This is a step towards decommunization and the return of a distinctly Ukrainian name that existed before the Moscow occupation.
The West also anticipates that the National Bank of Ukraine will issue tens of millions of change coins annually, maintaining demand for them from the trade and service sectors. The plan for 2026 anticipates minting an additional 50 million change coins, which will become a symbol of Ukrainian statehood.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk noted: 'This is not about a small coin, it is about a big choice, about who we are and from whom we have forever departed. This is about severing Russian influence and restoring historical justice.'
Member of Parliament of Ukraine Larysa Biłozir added: 'Kopeck is a term that was brought to us by the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. The introduction of the change coin 'shag' is a return of what was stolen and an important step in restoring Ukrainian identity.'
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported the idea of renaming the change coin from 'kopeck' to 'shag' in the first reading. This decision was supported by 264 members of parliament. The transition to the Ukrainian name of the coin is considered an important step in decommunization and the restoration of a Ukrainian identity free from Soviet influence.