Kovačević pointed out that the icon was not stolen, as well as being a cultural treasure and something that was stolen during some war actions was absolute untruth.

"The icon has a certain sentimental value, but also a value based on the fact that it is an Orthodox consecrated icon that and has no significant material value other than aforementioned," Kovačević told RTRS.

Kovačević stated that everyone could easily check that such icons could be found on the Internet and eBay and cost between 100 and 200 euros.

"What is particularly important in this is that there is no ongoing search for that icon anywhere in any record or database. The public is aware of Interpol database existing since 1951, established after World War II when a large number of works of art were stolen and were being searched for. The database is very detailed and contains thousands of artifacts from BiH, but this icon is not one of them," Kovačević explained.

According to him, the icon has never represented any cultural heritage, nor is it any stolen cultural treasure.

"These are all speculations, for which no one offered any evidence, but it is completely clear that the intent was exclusively political," Kovačević pointed out.

Kovačević emphasized that the relations between Republika Srpska and Russia were definitely not disturbed, and that Lavrov's visit was proof of the good relations between Srpska and Russian Federations.

He reminded that the Embassy of Ukraine in BiH sent a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Council of Ministers, which the Presidency informed about that note.

"We responded to the Ministry and asked them to present the questions we submitted in that answer as a note to the Embassy of Ukraine. We consider Ukraine a friendly country, we have never done anything against Ukraine, but it is very important to point out that we believe that none of what is cited in the Ukraine Embassy’s note is not supported by the facts", said Kovačević.

For that reason, says Kovačević, they are also asked to answer on what basis they claim this is an icon that is Ukraine’s cultural treasure.

"The information they cited in that note is based on speculation and exclusively on what people wrote on the Internet without any evidence or corroborating facts. As far as we know, reviewing all possible databases, that icon is not in any database of cultural treasures or treasures that have been alienated and are being searched for," Kovačević emphasized.

He mentioned that when reporting on that gift, a material mistake was made when it was incorrectly written that the icon originated from Lugansk, and that many others started writing based on it.

Kovačević pointed out the fact that every time the Russian Federation’s relations with Republika Srpska and BiH are mentioned, a story appears about the so-called malignant Russian influence in BiH, which, as he stated, does not exist.

"In this context, this entire affair and fuss about Milorad Dodik's gift to Sergey Lavrov has been created. It is clear to us that /Foreign Minister/ Bisera Turković could not wait to create a new affair and hide her own when she compared Dodik to Adofl Hitler and Republika Srpska people with the Nazis", explained Kovačević.

He added that it was fully clear that the "political and intelligence structure in Sarajevo" could hardly wait to cover up the diplomatic scandal caused by the other two members of the BiH Presidency, Šefik Džaferović and Željko Komšić, when they refused to meet with Lavrov.

"What surprised us a little was the reaction of the opposition from Republika Srpska, which ran faster and better to join the ranks of those who spat on the relations between Republika Srpska and the Russian Federation," said Kovačević.

According to him, as Sarajevo behaves, so does the opposition in Republika Srpska.

"It is not anything good for Republika Srpska, but it is important that we are aware of it, as well as the citizens," Kovačević pointed out.