The Kremlin has fiercely accused the European Commission of attempting to “cancel” Russian culture following the EU’s decision to slash funding for the Venice Biennale, one of Europe’s most prominent contemporary art exhibitions.
The diplomatic spat erupted after European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen announced that she had formally requested the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) to terminate its €2 million EU grant to the Biennale. Virkkunen firmly stated that European cultural funding must promote democratic values—principles she asserted are “not respected in today’s Russia.”
Moscow Fires Back
In response to the funding termination request, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed deep criticism of the bloc’s cultural policies during a press briefing on Monday:
“As regards the Venice Biennale, I can only express regret over ongoing attempts to cancel our culture in other countries.”
— Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Spokesperson
The Biennale, which runs from May to November, became a geopolitical lightning rod after organizers controversially allowed Russia to open its national pavilion for a brief three-day window, igniting fierce political debates across the continent.
Political Fractures in Rome
The EU’s financial intervention has triggered significant friction within Italy’s political landscape, potentially creating a domestic headache for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ahead of the 2027 national elections.
While Meloni’s government initially opposed Moscow’s participation in the exhibition, members of her own ruling coalition have openly broken ranks:
| Italian Political Faction | Official Stance & Statements on EU Funding Cut |
| The League (Coalition Partner) | Condemned the intervention as “unacceptable,” arguing that the decision lacked concrete justification. |
| Luca Zaia (Veneto President) | Heavily criticized the censorship, stating: “Culture cannot be censored, and artists are not soldiers.” |
| 5Star Movement (Opposition) | Expressed explicit solidarity with Moscow regarding the cultural exclusion. |
The move to defund the Biennale follows a sustained push by EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, who first called for financial penalties against the exhibition in April. While the European Commission reiterated its strict anti-cooperation stance on Saturday, the recommendation to the EACEA is currently awaiting final, formal ratification.
