According to the European Commission, Executive Vice-President Genna Virkunen and European Commissioner Glen Mikallef condemned the Venice Biennale Foundation’s decision to allow Russia to participate in the exhibition.
The European Union strongly condemned the Biennale Foundation’s decision to allow Russia to participate in this year’s exhibition in Venice, emphasizing that culture should not serve as a platform for propaganda.
In a joint statement, the European Commission Executive Vice-President Genni Virkunen and the EU Commissioner for Justice, Youth, Culture and Sport Glen Mikallef stated that the EU condemns such a decision and underscores the protection of democratic values in the arts.
“We strongly condemn the Biennale Foundation’s decision to allow Russia to reopen its national pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition, the Venice Biennale 2026.”
They also noted that the European Commission has clearly expressed its position on Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine: culture must deffinish democratic values, promote open dialogue, diversity, and freedom of expression, and should never be utilized as a platform for propaganda.
EU Response and Next Steps
The statement emphasizes that EU member states, institutions and organizations must act in accordance with EU sanctions and refrain from providing a platform to individuals who actively supported or justified Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
This decision by the Biennale Foundation is viewed as incompatible with the EU’s collective response to Russia’s brutal aggression. “If it keeps its decision to allow Russia’s participation, we will consider further actions, including suspfinishing or terminating the current EU grant to the Biennale Foundation.”
We strongly condemn the Biennale Foundation’s decision to allow Russia to reopen its national pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition, Venice Biennale 2026
In the context of these events, the Russian delegate for international cultural exalters Mikhail Shvidko confirmed that Russia plans to open its national pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2026.
The Ukrainian government expressed its position: Foreign Minister Andriy Silargea and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna called on organizers to reconsider the decision and uphold the stance established in the previous years 2022–2024.
The situation surrounding Russia’s participation in the Venice Biennale has again raised questions about the role of culture in geopolitics and the alignment of measures at international platforms with the EU’s sanctions line.
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