EU Threatens to Cut Venice Biennale Funding Over Russia's Return

The European Commission has threatened to withdraw €2 million in funding from the Venice Biennale if organizers proceed with plans to allow Russia to reopen its pavilion at this year's edition. The Russian pavilion was closed in 2022 following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which led to the exclusion of Russian artists and institutions from major European cultural events.

"We condemn the decision by the Foundation Biennale to allow Russia to participate in the 2026 Biennale art exhibition," said spokesperson Thomas Regnier at a news conference. "Culture in Europe should promote and safeguard democratic values, foster open dialogue, diversity, and freedom of expression. These values are currently not honored in today's Russia."

The Commission added it would examine further action 'including the suspension or termination of an ongoing EU grant to the Biennale Foundation.' The €2m EU grant supports film projects at the contemporary arts show.

Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco described the festival as "a space of co-existence for the whole planet" without censorship, which should also be open to countries in conflict. However, Italy’s culture minister Alessandro Giuli said the government disagreed with the Biennale Foundation’s decision.

The inclusion of Russia has sparked international outcry, with 22 European countries demanding Moscow stay away again over its war in Ukraine. The scandal at the world's oldest and most important contemporary art fair has put Italy's Culture Ministry in the crosshairs. It comes just weeks after the Italian government had to stand by as the International Paralympic Committee allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics.

Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli is trying to manage the diplomatic fallout, voicing clear opposition to the Biennale's decision but acknowledging that its governing foundation is independent of the government and acted autonomously when it included Russia in the line-up for its 61st arts festival. He also launched an investigation to determine if Russia’s participation was compatible with the EU sanctions regime.

Giuli spoke by telephone with his Ukrainian counterpart, Tetyana Berezhna, and "reiterated the Italian government's commitment to protecting Ukraine's cultural identity," the ministry said. Berezhna told Giuli that Russia's participation was "unacceptable for Kiev and contrasts with the strong support for Ukraine maintained by the Italian government."

The Biennale Foundation announced that this year’s edition will be accompanied by two dedicated exhibition spaces for 'dissident' art. The Russian pavilion, which has a permanent historic location in the Giardini exhibition area, was shuttered after its artists withdrew following Moscow's invasion and loaned to Bolivia for its exhibition in 2024.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been a staunch supporter of EU sanctions against Russia, but before the invasion of Ukraine, her co-ruling League Party had strong ties with President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party. Italian events have attempted to host Russian artists on several occasions, only to back down in the face of criticism.

Last year authorities cancelled a classical concert near Naples over the planned participation of Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, widely regarded as close to Putin. On Sunday, Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha and deputy prime minister Tetyana Berezhna urged the international art community to remain vigilant over Russia's use of culture as an instrument of propaganda.

"The Venice Biennale is one of the world’s most authoritative art platforms, and it must not become a stage for whitewashing the war crimes that Russia commits daily against the Ukrainian people and our cultural heritage," they said. This year, Russia and Belarus were readmitted to the Winter Paralympic Games being hosted by Italy in Milan and Cortina, following a contested decision by the International Paralympic Committee.