KIEV, July 26 ??“ Viktor Yanukovych, designated as the prime minister by the pro-Russian coalition, denied alleged plans to weaken the hryvnia by replacing the governor of the National Bank of Ukraine.

Yanukovych issued a special statement after a party member, Taras Chornovil, had disclosed the plans to replace Volodymyr Stelmakh in order to weaken the hryvnia against the U.S. dollar to encourage exports.