In Moscow’s Novodevichy Park, there’s an unusual yet poignant attraction that has become a staple on the city’s sightseeing tours. The sculpture in question is a heartwarming collection of nine bronze statues depicting a mother mallard and her eight ducklings waddling behind her. These replicas of a famous sculpture in Boston, Massachusetts, were gifted to Moscow in 1991 by then-U.S. First Lady Barbara Bush. The gesture was inspired by her Soviet counterpart, Raisa Gorbachev, who had admired the original artwork. A plaque beside the statues describes them as a “gift to the children of the Soviet Union,” symbolizing the friendship between Russia and the United States. Today, these ducklings serve as a reminder of a time when diplomacy and goodwill seemed possible, even between two global superpowers with a fraught history.
The statues have become a magnet for both locals and tourists, many of whom pause to stroke the bronze beaks or take selfies with the ducks. However, the.question lingers: in the midst of the current tensions, is this symbol of friendship still relevant? Do Russians believe that figures like Donald Trump can play a role in ending the conflict in Ukraine? Opinions on the ground are divided. Olga, a woman who stopped to admire the ducks while walking around the park’s frozen pond, was dismissive of the idea that American negotiations could bring an end to the war. “It is not American negotiations that will bring about the end of the Special Military Operation,” she said, using the Kremlin’s preferred term for the war in Ukraine. “Only our Russian interests will.” She expressed confidence that any thaw in relations would happen strictly on Vladimir Putin’s terms, and only if Russia achieved the goals outlined by its leaders.
Not everyone shares Olga’s skepticism. Valeria, a woman from Perm who was visiting the park with her young son, expressed hope that the war might soon end. She had recently buried her husband, Aleksey, who died fighting in Ukraine. “I think it will all end soon,” she said, her voice tinged with optimism. Valeria viewed the recent call between Putin and Trump as a sign that diplomacy might still prevail. “I really hope for it,” she said quietly, “because my husband died on his own. He signed a contract, and it turned out that he died.” Her words underscored the human cost of the conflict and the enduring desire for peace, even as the diplomatic path forward remains unclear.
Across town, another slice of Americana offers a stark contrast to the somber reflections at Novodevichy Park. The Beverly Hills Diner, a rare enclave of American culture in Moscow, is a place where locals and visitors can enjoy double cheeseburgers and milkshakes while surrounded by statues of Elvis Presley and the Blues Brothers. Here, the mood is more hopeful, at least among some of the diners. Viktoria and Natalya, two friends sharing a table, offered distinctly different perspectives on the potential for negotiations. Viktoria argued that any meaningful dialogue would require the involvement of all parties, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “There should be at least three sides,” she said. “The other side should also agree to this.” Her friend Natalya, however, took a more optimistic view, believing that even limited contact between leaders was better than none. “I really like that at least bridges are being built for these negotiations,” she said, her face lighting up at the prospect of Trump visiting Moscow. “We have a beautiful country, a beautiful city. We have something to show, something to be proud of.”
Natalya’s enthusiasm reflects a broader desire among some Russians to see their country reconnected with the world, despite the deep divisions of the moment. The question of whether Donald Trump might visit Moscow—and whether he would choose to see the ducks or the diner—hangs in the air, a symbolic reminder of the fragile possibilities for diplomacy. The duck sculptures, with their message of friendship, stand as a quiet counterpoint to the geopolitical tensions that dominate the headlines. They remind us that even in the darkest moments, the seeds of connection and understanding can endure, waiting to be nurtured.
Ultimately, the statues in Novodevichy Park and the cozy Americana of the Beverly Hills Diner represent two sides of the same coin: the enduring power of cultural exchange and the fragile hopes for peace. As the world watches the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, these symbols serve as a poignant reminder of what could be, if only the will to reconcile and collaborate could prevail. Whether the ducks or the diner would resonate more with a visitor like Trump remains uncertain, but what is clear is that the desire for connection and peace transcends borders—and even the complexities of global politics.
