Sharing homemade Ukrainian borscht with neighbors is a way to connect in a new country, says Valentyna Klymova, a 72-year-old Ukrainian refugee who settled in Erith, Kent. Klymova prepares the soup, along with sour cream and rye bread, to share with English acquaintances and notes its positive reception. She embraces British fish and chips, though she hasn’t attempted cooking it. Klymova fled Ukraine after Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022, and left Kharkiv, heavily bombed by Russian forces. Her daughter, Nataliya Rumyantseva, who lives in the UK, helped her escape. About 214,400 Ukrainians have arrived in the UK since the war, with many returning. Klymova is still learning English, which she began after her arrival, finding life in the UK more peaceful and the people welcoming. She appreciates British traditions and the diversity, comparing it favorably to Ukraine’s monoculture. Klymova commits to living one day at a time and tries to find solace in daily life amidst worries about Ukraine’s future.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/23/people-are-so-polite-the-ukrainian-refugee-bonding-with-the-british-over-borscht-and-chips