The European Commission on Tuesday condemned the Venice art Biennale's decision to allow Russia to take part in this year's edition and said EU funding for the event would now be at risk if it persisted in the decision.
“We strongly condemn the Biennale Foundation's decision to allow Russia to reopen its national pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale in 2026," said a statement by EU Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen and EU Commissioner for Culture Glenn Micallef, specifying that the decision "is not compatible with the EU's collective response to Russia's brutal aggression.
"Should the Biennale Foundation go ahead with its decision to allow Russia's participation, we will consider further action, including suspending or terminating an ongoing EU grant to the Biennale Foundation.
“The European Commission," they explained, "has been clear in its position regarding Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.
Culture promotes and safeguards democratic values, fosters open dialogue, diversity, and freedom of expression, and should never be used as a platform for propaganda.
"Member states, institutions, and organizations," the statement emphasized, "must act in line with EU sanctions and avoid providing a platform to individuals who have actively supported or justified the Kremlin's aggression against Ukraine."
