Ukraine expects Italy not to issue visas to Russian participants in Venice Biennale – Sybiha
Ukraine is raising the issue of Italy, as the host country, not issuing visas to Russian participants in the 2026 Venice Biennale, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha said at a meeting with journalists.
"...The Biennale. Of course, this was discussed (during the president’s visit to Italy – IF-U). We have sanctioned those individuals, the Russian participants. And we are now raising the issue of visas not being issued to them. The host country is Italy. We very much hope we will be heard," the minister said.
Russia has been a permanent participant in the Venice Biennale, having founded its pavilion in 1914. However, its exhibition at the 59th Biennale in 2022 was canceled on February 27 - a few days after the invasion. In 2024, the Venice Biennale again took place without Russia’s participation.
The organizers of the Venice Biennale published on March 4, 2026 the list of participants who will open national pavilions. Russia, which has not participated since 2022, is among them.
On April 10, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree enacting a National Security and Defence Council decision to impose sanctions on five Russian cultural figures who justify aggression and spread Russian propaganda at international events.
The relevant decree No. 305/2026 was published on the head of state’s website.
According to the presidential press service, all sanctioned individuals are connected to Russia’s participation in the 61st Venice Biennale.