‘A stage for whitewashing war crimes’: Venice Biennale urged to exclude Russia

Ukraine criticises organisers’ decision to allow Russia to take part in prestigious art exhibition as ‘incomprehensible’ Ukraine has urged organisers of the Venice Biennale to reconsider Russia’s participation in the prestigious art exhibition, arguing that it must not become “a stage for whitewashing… war crimes.” Biennale organisers said last week that Russia would be allowed to take part in the event, held from 9 May until 22 November, triggering widespread criticism, including from Italy’s culture ministry, which said it opposed the decision. Days after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the biennale, one of Italy’s most important cultural institutions, condemned the aggression and banned access to that year’s event for anyone linked to the Kremlin. Although it never formally barred the country from participating, Russia was absent in 2022 and 2024. “The Venice Biennale is one of the world’s most authoritative art platforms, and it must not become a stage for whitewashing the war crimes that Russia commits daily against the Ukrainian people and our cultural heritage,” Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andriy Sybiha, and the culture