“No Rules Were Violated”: Venice Biennale Responds to EU Concerns Over Russian Pavilion

The Venice Biennale Foundation has stated that Russia’s participation in the prestigious international exhibition does not violate any restrictions imposed by the European Union following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

As reported by RAI on March 17, the Venice Biennale, led by Pietrangelo Buttafoco, provided the Italian Ministry of Culture with “all requested documentation” regarding the Russian pavilion in response to a request from Minister Alessandro Giuli, who asked for it to be submitted “as a matter of urgency.”

The minister sought to determine whether any logistics, materials, or financial operations related to the pavilion installation could potentially contravene the EU's sanctions, which were introduced after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

According to Adnkronos, the sanctions do not prohibit Russian artists from participating in international cultural events.

In its response, the Biennale emphasized that “no rules were violated, and sanctions against the Russian Federation were fully respected.”

In a statement on March 15, Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli expressed a loss of confidence in Gregoretti, accusing her of failing to inform the ministry in advance about the potential Russian participation in the 2026 exhibition. Giuli claimed that Gregoretti “did not deem it necessary to announce the possible presence of the Russian Federation at the next Biennale,” despite the political sensitivity surrounding the issue.

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The controversy has further fueled diplomatic pressure from European nations, with 22 countries formally calling for Russia to be banned from the prestigious art exhibition. Led by Latvian Minister of Culture Agnese Lāce, this coalition, which includes France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Ukraine.

The coalition’s statement declared that “culture is not separate from the realities societies face,” noting that it shapes public values and perceptions and “cultural institutions therefore carry not only artistic significance but also moral responsibility.”

The European Commission has also warned that it may withdraw funding from the Venice Biennale after organizers permitted Russia to reopen its national pavilion.

In a joint statement, European Commission Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef condemned the Biennale Foundation’s decision to allow Russia’s participation in this year’s exhibition, marking its return since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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