Related videos:
During the meeting this Monday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, presented U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio with an icon of the Virgin Mary painted on an ammunition box.
This gift, rich in symbolism, represents the transformation of war into hope and faith. According to Sybiha, Rubio's reaction was "very positive."
The minister explained that the image was brought by refugees from Mariupol and painted on a recovered ammunition box from Azovstal, which gives it special significance in the realm of diplomacy.
Azovstal was the last bastion of Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol during the Russian invasion. The steel plant, located in southern Ukraine, became a symbol of Ukrainian struggle as hundreds of soldiers and civilians took refuge in its facilities under a brutal siege by Russian forces.
After weeks of resistance, the defenders of Azovstal surrendered in May 2022, and many were captured by Russia. The ammunition box used in the icon given to Rubio comes from that site, reinforcing its significance of sacrifice and resilience.
The gesture was not casual. Rubio is a devout Catholic Christian and has expressed on multiple occasions the importance of faith in his life and political career.
Recently, his appearance on television with an ash cross on his forehead sparked debate in the U.S. about the influence of religion in the public sphere. Ukraine's gift reinforces that spiritual and political connection, sending a clear message of unity in shared values.
The meaning of the icon and its artistic origin
This icon is part of an artistic project initiated in 2014 by the artists from Kiev Sofiia Atlantova and Oleksandr Klymenko. The central idea of the project is to transform symbols of death, such as ammunition boxes used in war, into symbols of life and faith.
Several of these works have been acquired by world leaders, including Pope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and King Charles III of the United Kingdom.
Religious icons in Slavic culture hold profound significance. They are not mere artistic representations, but central elements in the spiritual life of the region. In the Orthodox Christian tradition, icons are seen as windows to the divine and means of intercession between the faithful and God.
In many Slavic homes, they are positioned in places of honor as symbols of protection and blessing. Additionally, they are objects of veneration in churches and monasteries, where believers light candles and offer prayers before them.
In this context, the gift of an icon to the U.S. Secretary of State not only represents a diplomatic gesture but also conveys a message of resilience and hope for Ukraine. The wood from the ammunition box transformed into a religious symbol reinforces the narrative that, even amidst conflict, faith and culture endure.
A gift at a crucial moment
The negotiations in Jeddah also included key discussions on the release of prisoners of war, the repatriation of Ukrainian children, and U.S. military support for Ukraine. Sybiha emphasized that these issues represented "a principled stance" for the Ukrainian delegation.
Among the attendees at the meeting were Andrii Yermak, head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine; Rustem Umerov, Minister of Defense; and Pavlo Palitsa, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office. From the U.S., in addition to Rubio, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz was present.
The U.S. Secretary of State announced that Washington will formally present the ceasefire proposal to Russia through multiple diplomatic channels and expressed hope that Moscow will accept it. Ukraine confirmed its willingness for a cessation of hostilities.
Rubio stated that the cessation of hostilities would be the first step towards "real negotiations to end the conflict in a manner acceptable to both parties, sustainable, and that ensures the long-term stability and security of Ukraine."
For his part, Umerov confirmed after the meeting that the U.S. has lifted the pause on military aid to Ukraine, a gesture that strengthens Washington's support for Kiev at a crucial moment in the conflict.
Zelensky emphasized that the ceasefire would not only cover missile attacks, drones, and bombs, but also the Black Sea and the entire front line. However, he clarified that the agreement does not aim to freeze the conflict, but rather to "start the path towards a fair end to the war."
Now, the international community is waiting for Russia's response to determine whether this agreement will lead to a step towards peace or if the conflict in Ukraine will continue to escalate.
Filed under:
