Italian Deputy Prime Minister Salvini has called the European Commission’s plan to withdraw €2 million in funding “ignorant pettiness”.
The European Union wants to cut funding for the Venice Biennale after the exhibition decided to exclude Russian artists from its 2026 edition, the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has said.
Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Russian artists have faced cancellations of shows in EU member states. Artists from other countries who are believed to be sympathetic to Russia have been similarly discriminated against.
Kallas, known for her staunch anti-Russian stance, claimed the country “Demonstration should not be allowed” Its culture.
“Russia’s return to the Venice Biennale is morally wrong,” He warned the bloc after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Tuesday “Intention to cut funding” If Moscow participates.
The Venice Biennale, one of the world’s leading art exhibitions, is set to welcome Russia for the first time in four years. Moscow had earlier said it would take part this year and would showcase works by Russian artists in its pavilion.
After excluding Moscow and alleging Kremlin-linked ties among those involved in the pavilion, Latvian Culture Minister Agnes Les also quickly reacted, saying she would boycott the May 9 opening of the Biennale if Russia participated.
Separately, 37 MEPs urged the EU to suspend nearly €2 million ($2.35 million) in funding and consider sanctions on those involved.
The biennale defended its decision as maintaining space for dialogue, keeping art separate from politics, while Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini scoffed in a mocking tone: “Latvia? Come on! So if Latvia writes something, we should stop, right?”
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Salvini rejected any criticism, arguing that the Russian pavilion is owned by Russia and outside the control of the biennale or the Italian state, and its owners are free to use it within legal and restrictive limits.
He said he plans to attend the Venice Biennale opening “With all due respect to Latvia,” He said the exhibition, with its 130-year history, is an autonomous body respected throughout the world. “No one in Brussels would dare to threaten it.” On the European Commission’s plan to withdraw nearly €2 million, he said the move made sense, given the billions paid by member states. “Ignorant pettiness.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said that efforts “Cancel Russian Culture” The West is doomed to fail.
