European Union lawmakers are urging top EU officials to take immediate and decisive action to prevent Russia’s participation in the upcoming 61st Venice Biennale. A letter, obtained by Euronews, has been sent to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU’s Foreign Ministry, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, among other high-ranking figures. The MEPs argue that allowing Russia to participate would severely undermine trust in the European Union.
The core of the MEPs’ condemnation stems from the Biennale organisers’ decision to welcome Russia back while Ukraine faces ongoing destruction. They highlight the bombing of Ukrainian cities, the killing of civilians, and the systematic demolition of Ukrainian cultural heritage. The letter emphatically states that Russia, a nation under extensive EU sanctions, should not be permitted to take part in an event funded by European taxpayers.
Legitimacy and Prestige Questioned
According to the signatories of the letter, the opening of a Russian pavilion at the Biennale would inadvertently bestow prestige and legitimacy upon a country that has forfeited these through its actions in Ukraine. They contend that this would be a profound misstep, especially given the ongoing conflict.
Heorhii Tykhiy, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed his gratitude to the MEPs for their clear moral stance. While clarifying that Ukraine is not advocating for a blanket ban on Russian culture or art, Tykhiy pointed to the organisers’ inconsistent position.
He recalled that in 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Venice Biennale organisers had indeed limited Russia’s participation. At that time, the organisers had explicitly condemned the aggression and framed the exhibition as a platform for dialogue, not for war.
“And now a simple question arises: in March 2026, aggression continues, terror continues, strikes continue, what has changed?” Tykhiy questioned, highlighting the apparent contradiction in the organisers’ shift in stance. He added that Russia continues to reject all proposals for ending the war and disengages from the very dialogue the Biennale claims to champion.
Immoral and Systemic Destruction of Culture
Tykhiy described it as “immoral” to invite Russia to participate in an international event of this magnitude against the backdrop of escalating Russian attacks on Ukraine’s cultural and historical heritage. He elaborated on the systematic nature of this destruction, stating that Russia has been attempting to erase Ukrainian identity and culture for centuries, a historical trend that has now escalated into a brutal, full-scale war.
Furthermore, Tykhiy revealed concerns about “close ties between some Russian organisers and the Russian military-industrial complex,” asserting that this eliminates any notion of neutrality. He stressed the interconnectedness of culture and the authoritarian regime in Russia, where culture is often weaponised to whitewash war crimes and exert soft power influence on international governments and societies. The Russian pavilion, he warned, would serve as an extension of this propaganda machine, directly linked to the ongoing war effort.
Calls for Sanctions and Withdrawal of Funding
The Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, had previously addressed the Biennale’s organising committee. He drew attention to a recent Russian strike on the historic centre of Lviv, which injured dozens and damaged the Bernardine Monastery ensemble, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sybiha decried this as “the ugly face of barbaric Russia” and questioned whether this was the barbarism the Biennale intended to “normalise.”
The MEPs have formally called on Brussels to take concrete steps. Their demands include:
- Immediate suspension of EU funding for the Biennale if Russia is not removed from the participant list.
- Introduction of restrictive measures against any individuals or organisations involved in the preparation of the Russian pavilion. This is particularly relevant given alleged ties to the state corporation Rostec, a major arms supplier to the Russian army. Reports suggest the pavilion is overseen by the daughter of Rostec’s deputy head, and one of its projects by the daughter of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The letter concludes with a powerful statement: “Culture is not a defence against responsibility.” It asserts that the Ukrainian people, who are fighting and dying for the values upon which the EU is founded, deserve better than ambiguity.
Background to the Controversy
News of Russia’s planned participation in the Venice Biennale, one of the art world’s most significant events, emerged earlier this month. The organising committee’s press release framed the Biennale as an “open organisation” that “rejects any form of censorship in culture and art.”
This statement was met with immediate opposition from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which urged a reconsideration of the decision. They highlighted the immense cost of Russia’s war on Ukraine’s cultural landscape, noting that 346 Ukrainian artists have died, 1707 cultural heritage monuments and 2503 cultural infrastructure objects have been destroyed, and an estimated 35,000 museum exhibits have been looted by Russia. The direct damage to Ukraine’s cultural heritage is estimated at around €4 billion, with indirect damages potentially much higher.
Mounting Criticism and Official Opposition
The Biennale has faced a barrage of criticism. As early as March 10th, the European Commission condemned the decision and threatened to withhold a €2 million grant over three years from the Biennale Foundation.
The opposition has extended beyond EU lawmakers. The culture and foreign affairs ministers from 22 European countries have also appealed to the Biennale’s director, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, demanding Russia’s suspension. A similar appeal was made to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni by members of the Russian opposition platform at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
Even the Italian Ministry of Culture has expressed its opposition, clarifying that the Foundation’s management made the decision “completely independently, despite opposition from the Italian government.”
Russia’s planned exposition is titled “Tree Rooted in the Sky” and is set to feature approximately 40 artists and musicians. The 2026 Venice Biennale is scheduled to run from May 9th to November 22nd.
