Venice Biennale Faces Funding Cuts and Political Backlash Over Russian Participation

The European Union is preparing to cut funding for the Venice Biennale following the decision to allow Russian artists to participate in the 2026 edition, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Kallas stated that the bloc intends to withdraw financial support after the Biennale announced it would readmit Russian participants, marking their first appearance since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. She said the move is morally wrong given Russia’s actions in Ukraine, including the bombing of museums, destruction of churches, and efforts to erase Ukrainian culture.

“While Russia bombs museums, destroys churches and seeks to erase Ukrainian culture, it should not be allowed to exhibit its own,” Kallas said after a meeting of EU foreign ministers. “Russia’s return to the Venice Biennale is morally wrong, and the EU intends to cut its funding.”

The Venice Biennale, one of the world’s most prominent art exhibitions, is set to host Russia for the first time since 2022, a decision that has drawn criticism across Europe. Latvia’s Culture Minister Agnese Lāce, who led a joint position by 25 European countries calling for Russia’s exclusion, said she will boycott the Biennale’s opening on May 9 if Moscow participates.

Latvia’s Ministry of Culture warned that allowing Russia to participate would grant “legitimacy through a major European cultural platform supported by European funding” to a sanctioned aggressor state. It also noted concerns about individuals linked to the Russian pavilion having ties to Russian state structures and pro-Kremlin narratives.

In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Kallas, 37 Members of the European Parliament urged the EU to suspend funding — estimated at around €2 million over three years — and consider restrictive measures against individuals associated with the Russian pavilion.

The Biennale has defended its decision, maintaining that it remains a space for dialogue where art is kept separate from politics. However, the EU’s stance reflects growing concern that cultural institutions should not provide a platform for states accused of cultural erasure and aggression.