Ukraine is a country of enduring beauty, proud history and deep cultural identity. The 20th century was calamitous for the country, with an artificial famine engineered by Stalin responsible for 5 million deaths, and two world wars forcing the exodus of 7 million people from Ukraine to countries around the globe. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine reclaimed its independence in 1991. Since then, it has forged its own path as an open, prosperous and democratic European state, but its efforts have been undermined by Russia’s annexation of Crimea and destabilisation of eastern Ukraine, and the Alliance has stepped up its support for Ukraine with weapons, equipment and training.

The people of Ukraine are a resilient and resourceful lot, and their cuisine reflects this. Most of its dishes descend from ancient peasant recipes based on wheat (Ukraine is sometimes nicknamed the “breadbasket of Europe”) and staple vegetables like potatoes, cabbages and beetroots. Many Ukrainian dishes also incorporate traditional Slavic techniques as well as more modern European culinary styles, a byproduct of centuries of foreign control and influence.

One of the most iconic Ukrainian foods is borscht, a hearty stew made from beets, tomatoes and other veggies braised till fall-apart tender. This is a true comfort food, and it’s a favourite of kids and adults alike. It’s simple to make, and you can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your tastes.

Another classic dish is oshtyniyky, which are basically dumplings filled with meat and vegetables, or vegetarian fillings. They can be fried or baked, and you can add different toppings to make them more flavourful. You can even make them sweet, as some people do. Varenyky, or blintzes, are similar to oshtyniyky in that they can be stuffed with either meat or vegetarian filling. They are usually fried, but they can be baked too.

For those looking for a sweet treat, you can try out nakisniki. These are essentially mini pancakes that can be topped with both savory and sweet ingredients, and they’re usually served during weddings and other special occasions.

For those interested in learning more about Ukraine, the Alliance recommends reading books by Serhii Plokhy (“The Gates of Europe”) and Anne Applebaum (“Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin”). NATO Allies stand with Ukraine and its legitimate, democratically elected president, parliament and government, and we will always defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders extending to its territorial waters. We will continue to support Ukraine militarily, financially and diplomatically until it is fully restored. In addition, we have provided expertise to improve Ukraine’s capacity for civil preparedness and resilience. This includes a follow-up expert-level RAST consultation in 2019. We will continue to do so for as long as it takes to ensure that Ukraine can defend itself against Russian aggression.