Critics argued that withdrawing from the ruble zone prematurely would be devastating for Ukraine's economy, already reeling under the general economic crisis.

About 80% of Lithuania's trade was with Russia and the government needed to find a way to smooth the transition from the ruble zone.

Another reason were the economical considerations for maintaining the ruble zone.

It was the second country to leave the ruble zone entirely.

Kyrgyzstan's withdrawal from the ruble zone was done with little prior notification and initially caused tensions in the region.

He said he preferred to form a single reserve bank for all republics in the ruble zone.

Grand plans for a single Commonwealth military command and a unified ruble zone have turned to dust in the last year.

Our country is full of Russian troops, and we are still trapped in the ruble zone.

It is also Russia that is now pressing Ukraine to leave the ruble zone.

"The ruble zone can turn into a fiction," he said at a commonwealth press conference tonight.