Sybiha gifts U.S. Secretary of State with icon painted on ammunition crate
Sybiha presents Rubio with an Icon of the Mother of God. Photo: Sybiha's Facebook
March 11, 2025 – During peace negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha presented U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio with an icon of the Mother of God, painted on wooden boards from ammunition crates. Sybiha shared a photo of the gift on his Facebook page.
Sybiha wrote that "Ukraine is ready to move toward a just resolution of the war. Ukraine is not an obstacle to peace; it is a partner in its restoration."
The practice of painting icons on ammunition boxes became popular in Ukraine during the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO). After the full-scale invasion, several Ukrainian artists continued this artistic approach. Sybiha did not specify the artist behind the icon he gifted to the U.S. Secretary of State.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that President Zelensky had presented the Pope with an "icon" featuring an empty space instead of the Infant Jesus.
Read also
Head of Germany’s largest media group: We must all become Zionists
The media executive urged Europeans to defend the Jewish state in order to preserve their own freedom and security.
Church сonsecrated after restoration in Zaporizhzhia Eparchy of UOC
Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol performed the rite of great consecration and celebrated the first Liturgy in the renovated church.
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal
In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.
Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee
Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.