EU withdraws €2 million Venice Biennale grant over Russia’s participation

The European Union has terminated a €2 million multi-year grant to the Venice Biennale following Russia’s return to the International Art Exhibition in 2026.

The European Education and Culture Executive Agency confirmed the decision on 21 July, following a legal assessment and a recommendation from the European Commission. The Commission had warned the Biennale in March that allowing Russia to reopen its national pavilion could result in the suspension or termination of EU funding.

Russia returned to the Biennale this year after being absent from the 2022 and 2024 editions following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Its pavilion, presenting The Tree Is Rooted in the Sky, was accessible during the exhibition’s preview days but has remained closed to the general public. Recordings of its performances can still be viewed on screens through the pavilion’s windows.

The Commission said cultural initiatives supported by European taxpayers should uphold democratic values, diversity, dialogue and freedom of expression—principles it said are not respected in present-day Russia.

The Biennale maintains that the grant supported activities within its cinema programme and was unrelated to Russia’s participation in the Art Exhibition. It said the withdrawal would not significantly affect its programme or finances and has announced plans to challenge the decision.