In Bosnia, they explained where they got the Ukrainian icon donated to Lavrov

The icon supposedly “was in the possession of a family from the Republika Srpska” and is a “family icon”.

In the office of the Serbian member of the Presidium of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik, they responded to the Ukrainian embassy how they had a Ukrainian icon that BiH presented to the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Sergei Lavrov. This was stated by the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Oleg Nikolenko, UNN reports on Tuesday, December 29.

The icon of Saint Nicholas, donated by Dodik Lavrov, supposedly “was in the possession of a family from the Republika Srpska” and is a “family icon”.

“However, no supporting documents were provided on the legality of the transfer of the icon to the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Therefore, the question of the true circumstances of the artifact’s arrival in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the manner of its receipt on the property remains open, “said Nikolenko.

Now Ukraine is taking steps to establish the circumstances, time and people involved in the seizure and movement of the icon from the territory of Ukraine.

Ukraine approached Bosnia and Herzegovina with a request for the icon to be handed over immediately for detailed examination. The Ukrainian side also expressed its willingness to cooperate with the investigation authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to clarify all the circumstances related to the removal of the icon from the territory of our state. Total opening of Bosnia and Herzegovina. on this issue, it would confirm that it has a true political will to develop friendly relations with Ukraine, respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity, “added Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Recall, the scandal with the icon came after the President of the Republika Srpska Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik, presented Lavrov with a 300-year-old icon, which turned out to be from occupied Lugansk. A photo of the icon appeared in the media, on which a wax seal is seen, indicating that the item belongs to Ukraine. The Ukrainian Embassy sent a note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and demanded to find out how the Lugansk icon ended up in the country.

Following the scandal in Bosnia, an investigation was launched for an ambiguous presentation. The opposition also demanded Dodik’s resignation.

It was later reported that Russia handed over the donated Ukrainian icon to the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Bosnia and Herzegovina embassy.

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