Latvia has called for the exclusion of Russia from the Venice Biennale 2026, raising concerns over its participation in the international art exhibition and urging European Union-level consideration of the issue.
The request was presented by Latvia’s State Secretary for Foreign Affairs during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg. Artjoms Uršuļskis argued that allowing Russian participation could risk “normalising” the situation in Kiev and weaken broader European political pressure. According to Riga, around 20 countries, together with Ukraine, have already expressed support for reviewing Russia’s participation in the event.
Latvia has also called for a more coordinated EU approach to limiting what it describes as Kremlin influence in cultural events across Europe.
Italian deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini criticised the proposal, defending the autonomy of the Venice Biennale:
With all due respect to Latvia, I hope to be there at the inauguration of the Venice Biennale, which has 130 years of history. It is an autonomous entity, appreciated in the world and I count that no one in Brussels allows himself to threaten.
He also rejected the idea of EU financial pressure, saying that withdrawing funding would make Latvia look “stingy” and “ignorant”—and argued that culture should remain separate from political disputes. Salvini added that the Russian pavilion is owned by the Russian Federation and operates under existing rules and sanctions.
