The Ukrainian currency market demonstrated divergent dynamics at the beginning of the new week. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) approved the official exchange rates for Monday, July 20, fixing a slight increase in the US dollar and a decrease in the value of the euro.

New Quotes: Dollar Rises, Euro Falls

According to the regulator, the official exchange rate of the US dollar was 44.66 hryvnias. This is 5 kopecks higher than the figure on Friday, July 17, when the American currency cost 44.61 hryvnias. Thus, after declining at the end of last week, the dollar has started moving up again.

In contrast, the European currency has become cheaper. The official exchange rate of the euro on July 20 was set at 51.05 hryvnias. Compared to the figure on Friday (51.16 UAH), the cost of the euro decreased by 11 kopecks. This divergent movement repeated the scenario from the end of last week.

Expert Opinion: Relative Calm Amidst War

Despite fluctuations in quotes, specialists assess the current situation as relatively stable. Taras Lesovoy, Director of the Financial Markets and Investment Activities Department of Globus Bank, emphasized in a comment to RBC-Ukraine that the market maintains equilibrium at the end of July, although key risks have not disappeared.

According to the banker, the main factor of uncertainty remains the war. The conflict is capable of instantly changing the expectations of both businesses and the population. Among specific threats, the expert highlighted:

  • problems in the energy sector;
  • logistics disruptions;
  • fuel risks;
  • infrastructure losses.

However, as long as these factors do not cause a mass change in citizens' behavior, the currency market will remain in a state of equilibrium.

What to Expect Next?

Taras Lesovoy noted that current stability is a good signal for the economy and the population, but it requires daily support. The expert emphasized that maintaining calm in the market depends on the actions of the NBU, the state of the economy, and the prudence of the market participants themselves under conditions of the ongoing military conflict.