Ukraine Condemns Russia's Return to Venice Biennale Amid Ongoing Conflict

On March 8, 2026, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned Russia's planned return to the Venice Biennale, scheduled for May 9, marking Russia's first participation since its invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. The ministry described this decision as a "dangerous signal" that supports aggression and normalizes what it termed "genocidal policy" by the Russian government. The statement highlighted the ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cultural heritage, referencing the deaths of 346 artists and media professionals since 2022, as well as the damage to 1,707 cultural heritage sites and 2,503 cultural infrastructure objects in Ukraine.

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Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga and Culture Minister Tetyana Berezhna urged the Venice Biennale organizers to reconsider their decision to allow Russian participation. They emphasized the need for the global artistic community to adhere to values of freedom and human dignity, asserting that any admission of Russian representatives to international art events is unacceptable. The ministers called for maintaining the principled stance taken against Russia from 2022 to 2024.

Moscow TimesKyiv Independent

The Venice Biennale organizers defended their decision, stating that "La Biennale di Venezia is an open institution" that rejects exclusion or censorship in culture and art. This stance has drawn criticism not only from Ukraine but also from Italy's Culture Ministry, which expressed opposition to the decision, asserting that it was made independently by the Biennale Foundation.

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Anastasia Karneeva, appointed by Russia's Culture Ministry in 2021, will lead the Russian pavilion at the Biennale. Reports indicate that she has connections to Russia's military industrial complex, raising further concerns about the implications of Russia's participation in the event.

Kyiv Independent

The controversy surrounding Russia's return to the Venice Biennale reflects the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, particularly in the cultural sphere. Ukraine's condemnation underscores the broader implications of cultural representation and the responsibilities of international institutions in times of conflict.

Kyiv Independent

While Ukraine's Foreign Ministry provided specific figures regarding casualties and damage to cultural sites, the Venice Biennale organizers maintain that their decision is rooted in principles of openness. The divergence in perspectives highlights the complexities of cultural diplomacy amid geopolitical tensions.

Kyiv Independent

• "Any admission of Russian representatives to international art events is unacceptable." — Ukraine's Foreign Ministry

Kyiv Independent

• "La Biennale di Venezia is an open institution." — Venice Biennale Organizers

Moscow Times

• "The move was made entirely independently by the Biennale Foundation, despite the Italian government's opposition." — Italy's Culture Ministry

Moscow Times