Ukraine gifts Virgin Mary icon painted on ammo box to US Secretary Rubio
Marco Rubio received an icon made on an ammo box as a gift (photo: Office of the President of Ukraine)
During a meeting of Ukraine-US delegations in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha made a symbolic gesture by presenting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with an icon of the Virgin Mary.
The unique feature of the gift is that the icon was created by Kyiv artists on an ammo box.
In a conversation with journalists, Sybiha said “Rubio's reaction to the icon was very positive.” And the photos show it.
“This icon of the Virgin Mary has a special history. It was brought by refugees from Mariupol, painted on the elements of an ammunition box that was at Azovstal,” the Ukrainian minister said.
Sybiha presented Rubio with the icon (photo: facebook.com/andrij.sybiha)
The icon, which became a diplomatic gift, is part of an art project by Kyiv-based artists Sofia Atlantova and Oleksandr Klymenko that rethinks the symbolism of war by turning weapons crates, which represent death, into icons, symbols of life and spirituality in the Ukrainian tradition.
The icons are created using boxes brought directly from the war zone, in particular from the Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions.
The project has existed since 2014, and its works have already been donated to many world leaders, including the Pope, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, King Charles III of the United Kingdom, as well as presidents and prime ministers of various countries.
Rubio's reaction to the icon (photo: Office of the President of Ukraine)
About the negotiations between Ukraine and the United States
The talks between the Ukrainian and American delegations took place at the famous Ritz-Carlton Jeddah hotel in Jeddah on March 11. The Ukrainian side was represented at the meeting by the Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, experienced military officer and former commander of the 93rd Brigade Kholodnyi Yar Pavlo Palisa.
The US side was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz.
The key topics of the eight-hour meeting were the search for ways to peace and bilateral relations between Ukraine and the United States.
Following the talks, Rubio and Waltz held a press conference where they made key statements. They said Ukraine had expressed its readiness for peace and agreed to the US proposal for a complete ceasefire, which the US side now plans to pass on to the Russian side.
Rubio expressed hope that Russia would accept this proposal, which would allow them to move to the next stage - real negotiations to end the conflict on terms acceptable to both sides and with guarantees of stability and security for Ukraine in the long term. An agreement on minerals between Ukraine and the United States was not discussed at these talks.
According to Rubio, the best gesture of goodwill from Russia would be to agree to a ceasefire. He also added that President Donald Trump is ready for “tough measures” against both sides to reach a peace agreement.
Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced the resumption of military assistance from the United States after a pause.
Andrii Sybiga explained that the proposed 30-day ceasefire is not an attempt to freeze the conflict, but rather “an attempt to start the path to ending the war in a fair way” and demonstrate who is really interested in peace.
