Moscow - (AFP) - The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday condemned the announcement by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that the cultural heritage associated with Ukrainian borscht is in danger, and mocked this position, which was seen as a victory for Kiev at the height of its armed conflict with Moscow.

On Friday, UNESCO included the culture associated with Ukrainian borsch soup on its list of intangible cultural heritage at risk, in the context of the consequences of the war in Ukraine that threatens the "continuation" of the traditions surrounding this famous dish.

"The existence of this soup ... is not in danger in itself, but the human and living heritage associated with borscht is in direct danger due to the serious disruption of the population's ability to practice and transmit their intangible cultural heritage," said Pier Luigi Petrillo, Rapporteur of the Committee for the Evaluation of the Ukrainian File in the organization. armed conflict, in particular due to the forced displacement of communities.

It decided that "for all these factors, it is necessary to take urgent action to protect this element within the framework of the very urgent procedure."

Ukraine submitted a request in mid-April to have the culture of this soup included in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Danger, arguing that the February 24 invasion of the country by Russia and the resulting months of bombing threatened the "viability" of this dish and all the traditions surrounding it. .

Ukraine's Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko welcomed UNESCO's declaration, saying that "victory is ours in the Porsche War". He wrote on his Telegram account that Ukraine "will win the Porsche war and this war," referring to the conflict with Russia.

He noted that Ukraine will share the recipe for this beetroot soup with all civilized countries, "and even with uncivilized countries too, so that they have at least something light, tasty and Ukrainian."

The Ukrainian initiative caused inconvenience in Russia, where this dish is also prepared, despite Kiev's objection that Moscow attribute the dish to it.

"If there is a need to explain to the world from the point of view of gastronomic dishes what modern nationalism is in Kiev's eyes, I would like to mention this fact: chickpeas and peppered rice are recognized as national dishes in several countries. But as I understand it," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram. Ukrainianization seems to apply to everything. "What next? Will pigs be recognized as a national product of Ukraine?" she asked.

It is noteworthy that borscht is an old recipe for soup made from beetroot and meat, and is usually served with cream or garlic bread.