The European Commission has escalated its pressure on the Venice Biennale Foundation, sending a third letter demanding more detailed answers about Russia's controversial participation in the ongoing 61st International Art Exhibition. The exhibition, which opened on 9 May and runs until 22 November, has become a flashpoint in the cultural fallout from Russia's war in Ukraine.
Henna Virkkunen, the European Commissioner for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, confirmed the latest communication during a Q&A session with reporters in Brussels. According to EU sources, the letter reiterates points raised in two previous missives, pressing the Biennale Foundation for responses on outstanding issues that its earlier replies failed to address.
Funding at Risk
In the second letter, Virkkunen made clear that the bloc "strongly condemns" the Biennale's decision to readmit Russian artists while Moscow continues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its fifth year. She warned that the European Commission would not hesitate to "suspend or withdraw" the €2 million in EU funding allocated to the event for the 2025–2028 period, stressing that European taxpayer money should not be used to reward aggressors.
Brussels pointed to a potential breach of Article 5n of the EU's Council Regulations, which concerns "the provision of certain services" to the Russian government. The letter also cited Article 5t, which prohibits accepting donations, economic benefits, or support—including funding and financial assistance—directly or indirectly from the Kremlin.
The dispute has drawn a sharp response from Moscow. Alexey Paramonov, the Russian Ambassador to Italy, said it was "deeply regrettable that the Italian leadership, as well as the management of the Biennale, have become the target of unacceptable and brutal diktats and pressure from the EU."
Biennale Defends Its Position
The Biennale Foundation has maintained that it has complied with all national and international rules and regulations. It said it would submit its counter-arguments within the prescribed 30-day timeframe, but added that it had already provided all necessary explanations and details to inspectors from the Italian Ministry of Culture. Spokespersons for the Biennale also argued that they had no authority to impose further sanctions on Russia.
Anastasia Karneeva, the curator of the Russian Pavilion, thanked the Biennale for supporting the participation of all countries, asserting that art should remain independent of politics. Her comments echo a broader debate about the role of cultural institutions in times of conflict, a tension that has played out across Europe since the invasion began.
The controversy is not new. Earlier this year, activists from Pussy Riot and FEMEN protested Russia's return to the Biennale, highlighting the ethical dilemmas facing event organisers. Meanwhile, the war continues to exact a heavy toll on civilians, as seen in recent Russian drone strikes on Kharkiv.
The European Commission's latest move underscores its determination to ensure that EU funds do not indirectly support a regime waging war in Europe. Whether the Biennale can satisfy Brussels' demands—or whether it will risk losing millions in funding—remains to be seen.
