Putin's friend Gergiev set for concert as Italy breaks ban on pro-Kremlin artists

The article discusses the upcoming concert of Valery Gergiev, a renowned conductor and a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an Italian region. Despite the international ban on pro-Kremlin artists due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Italian region has decided to invite Gergiev to perform, signaling a potential rehabilitation of the conductor. The article highlights the controversial nature of this decision, as Gergiev has been a vocal supporter of Putin's policies and has faced widespread criticism for his stance on the war. The move by the Italian region is seen as a deviation from the broader international effort to isolate and sanction Russian artists and cultural figures with close ties to the Kremlin. The article suggests that this decision by the Italian region may be interpreted as a sign that the ban on pro-Kremlin artists is not being consistently enforced, even as the war in Ukraine continues with no immediate end in sight.