Executive Summary
- Ukrainian women Nadiia Hoian and Nataliia Revkova, who fled the 2022 Russian invasion, celebrated Ukraine’s Independence Day in Suffolk, UK, expressing hopes and prayers for peace.
- Both women have successfully built new lives in the UK, with Hoian starting an award-winning baking business and Revkova creating a jewelry brand, while reflecting on their homeland’s freedom and resilience.
- Their personal narratives of displacement and hope for peace resonate amid broader international efforts, including diplomatic meetings hosted by President Donald Trump, aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.
The Story So Far
- The emotional reflections of Ukrainian women on their country’s Independence Day are deeply rooted in the ongoing conflict following the 2022 Russian invasion, which forced them to flee their homes and seek refuge in the UK. Their hopes for peace are set against a backdrop of continued fighting and international diplomatic efforts, including recent meetings hosted by President Donald Trump, aimed at bringing an end to the war.
Why This Matters
- The personal narratives of Ukrainian refugees, like Nadiia Hoian and Nataliia Revkova, underscore the enduring human cost of the conflict and the profound resilience of individuals forced to rebuild their lives abroad, while their continued hopes for peace amplify the urgency of international diplomatic efforts, including those led by President Donald Trump, to achieve a resolution.
Who Thinks What?
- Ukrainian women Nadiia Hoian and Nataliia Revkova, displaced by the conflict, express profound hope and prayers for peace, emphasizing the resilience of their homeland and their gratitude for support received.
- President Donald Trump is engaged in diplomatic meetings with the aim of halting the war and facilitating peace talks between the nations involved.
Ukrainian women Nadiia Hoian and Nataliia Revkova, who fled the 2022 Russian invasion and now reside in Suffolk, UK, expressed their hopes and prayers for peace as their country’s Independence Day was celebrated. The two women participated in emotional celebrations at The Hold at the Suffolk Archives in Ipswich, reflecting on their homeland’s freedom and resilience amidst ongoing conflict. Their sentiments come as President Donald Trump has hosted diplomatic meetings aimed at halting the war and engaging both nations in peace talks.
Experiences of Displacement and Hope
Nadiia Hoian, who lived in central Ukraine near Kiev, recounted fleeing with her husband and children on the first day of the Russian invasion. Their journey took them initially to Poland before they arrived in the UK in 2023 through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. She described the initial weeks as a “difficult period” but highlighted the “kindness and a lot of support” they received in Suffolk.
Mrs. Hoian has since transformed her passion for baking into an award-winning wedding and events cake business in the UK. She noted that Independence Day was “always an emotional holiday” in Ukraine, even before the war. Now living abroad, she finds it “even more powerful,” symbolizing freedom, resilience, and gratitude to those fighting for their country.
For Mrs. Hoian, the day also serves as an opportunity to thank the British people for their welcome, safety, and support. She continues to pray for peace and offered a message to other Ukrainians: “Believe in yourself, share your love, believe in our country, pray for our country and stay positive.”
Fleeing Conflict and Building New Lives
Nataliia Revkova described her departure from Ukraine as a “very difficult decision,” struggling to comprehend the unfolding events. She recounted waking on the second day of the war to her house shaking, with her children witnessing a crashed airplane part on a neighbor’s house and another missile striking a nearby building. They initially sought refuge in a friend’s underground basement for ten days.
Ms. Revkova then fled to Slovakia, where she stayed for three months. Driven by a desire for her children to have “a normal life,” they moved to the UK in 2022 with only their clothes, car, and a single credit card. In Ukraine, Ms. Revkova had developed a love for making jewelry, a skill she now successfully employs, collaborating with shops across the UK to sell her products.
She expressed optimism for an end to the war, emphasizing a universal need for peace. “I think the main thing for everybody, not just Ukrainians, is that we need peace everywhere, in every country,” she stated.
Conclusion
The stories of Nadiia Hoian and Nataliia Revkova highlight the profound impact of the conflict on Ukrainian lives and their enduring hope for peace. Their reflections on Independence Day underscore themes of resilience and gratitude, while their new lives in the UK demonstrate adaptation in the face of adversity. These personal narratives resonate amid broader international efforts, including diplomatic meetings hosted by President Donald Trump, to achieve a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
