OREANDA-NEWS. On 03 February 2009 was announced, that the expected devaluation of the Russian ruble in 2009 will not push the Belarusian ruble outside the 5% band against the basket of currencies this year, Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov told reporters.

“The Belarusian government will keep the basket of three foreign currencies [the Russian ruble, dollar and euro], with fluctuations within 5% this year,” Kobyakov said.

The government has no plans to allow the Belarusian ruble to change more than 5% against the basket in 2009 despite the depreciation of the Russian ruble against the U.S. dollar and euro.

“Our Russian partners see the bottom where their economy may fall. If oil prices go down to USD 41 per barrel, the dollar will be buying 35-36 Russian rubles. Even though the Russian ruble will depreciate, we have a chance to keep the Belarusian ruble within the 5% band,” Kobyakov said.

He also warned against high hopes in the U.S. currency. “I don’t think Obama will perform magic. There will be money injections, but any injections cause currency depreciation. We should work with a whole basket. The basket of three currencies and the 5% possible change – these parameters will be met this year,” Kobyakov said.