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Ukrainian toast ‘budmo’ meaning ‘let us be’ honours country’s positive spirit

23 February 2022 By Jessica Mason

Dima’s Vodka has raised a toast to Ukraine as a show of solidarity, strength, resilience and positivity in the face of war.

“The Ukrainian toast of ‘Budmo’ (pronounced Bood – more) means ‘let us be’. Let us be resilient, strong and positive and showcase the true Ukrainian spirit. In these times, we have been thinking about how best to represent and support our family, friends and country and we looked back at the reason for starting Dima’s Vodka – to showcase the positivity and uniqueness of Ukraine. Never has this been more important than now,” said Dima Deinega, founder of Dima’s Vodka.

Toasts, prayers and messages of support for Ukraine are being raised throughout the world using the term ‘Budmo’ as a form of recognition for the country’s plight as fears of a Russian invasion were realised after the Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops over the border.

The threat of war occurred following Putin reportedly declaring that the neighbouring nation “belongs to Russia” before setting out to seize territory given up by the country in the fall of the Soviet Union.

Deinega reiterated how important it was, especially in the face of so much negativity, that “people don’t forget about the positivity of Ukraine and the uniqueness of its people” and added: “We would like to raise a toast to our beautiful country and its incredible people and hope you will too.”

Dima’s Vodka is an independent brand, available at a selection of top bars and online, and continues the traditional ‘Budmo’ toast as a way to reaffirm positive feelings towards others. ‘Budmo’ is said to originate in Cossack times when the Cossacks would gather for a meal and each in turn had a chance to say ‘Budmo’ followed by their wishes for their friends.