‘People are so polite’: the Ukrainian refugee bonding with the British over borscht and chips

<p>First Ukrainian refugee to arrive in UK after Russia invasion says even the British dogs are better behaved, but that ‘the weather is sad’</p><p>Sharing a bowl of homemade Ukrainian borscht with your neighbours is one way to make friends in a new country, according to the first refugee to arrive in the UK after Russia invaded her country three years ago.</p><p>Ukrainian refugee Valentyna Klymova, 72, now settled in Erith in Kent, has done just that, lovingly preparing the traditional soup containing beetroot, other vegetables and meat stock, served with a dollop of sour cream and rye bread. She offers it to English people she knows and says it has had a positive reception. In turn, she has embraced quintessentially British fish and chips, although she has not yet tried to cook it at home.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/23/people-are-so-polite-the-ukrainian-refugee-bonding-with-the-british-over-borscht-and-chips">Continue reading...</a>