KYIV, Jan 19 – Achieving de-escalation through diplomacy and removing geopolitical tensions would allow the hryvnia to strengthen to UAH 27/$, Olena Bilan, chief economist at Dragon Capital, believes.

"Currently, the exchange rate forecast depends on the development of the conflict with Russia. If diplomatic efforts can quickly achieve long-term de-escalation, then the rate may return to UAH 27/$. If tensions continue to grow, the weakening of the hryvnia will continue," she said in a commentary to Interfax-Ukraine.