EU Commission warns Venice Biennale it may lose EU funding over return of Russian pavilion

The European Commission has warned it could suspend EU grant funding for the Venice Biennale if Russia is allowed to reopen its pavilion at this year's exhibition.

Source: European Pravda citing a statement by Henna Virkkunen, European Commission Executive Vice-President, and Glenn Micallef, the Commissioner for intergenerational fairness, youth, culture and sport

Details: Virkkunen and Micallef said they strongly condemn the Fondazione Biennale's decision to allow Russia to reopen its national pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of the 2026 Venice Biennale.

Quote: "The European Commission has been clear in its stance concerning 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."

More details: Virkkunen and Micallef said member states, institutions and organisations should act in line with EU sanctions and avoid giving a platform to individuals who have actively supported or justified the Kremlin's aggression against Ukraine.

Quote: "This decision by the Fondazione Biennale is not compatible with the EU's collective response to Russia's brutal aggression. Should the Fondazione Biennale go forward with its decision to allow Russia's participation, we will examine further action, including the suspension or termination of an ongoing EU grant to the Biennale Foundation."

Background:

• Ukraine has called on the organisers of the Venice Biennale to reconsider their decision on Russia's participation and to maintain the principled position demonstrated in 2022-24.
• Ukraine has raised particular concerns over reports linking Anastasia Karneyeva, the declared commissioner of the Russian pavilion, to the Russian defence industrial base.
• Earlier, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže condemned the decision of the Venice Biennale to allow Russia to reopen its pavilion.
• Russia will reopen its pavilion and take part in the Venice Biennale this year for the first time since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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