Kyiv raised a diplomatic demand during high-level talks in Rome. The request could reshape cultural access at one of the world’s biggest art events.
Ukraine has urged Italy not to issue visas to Russian participants of the Venice Biennale.
According to Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga, the host country – Italy – should refuse to issue visas to Russians who will participate in the exhibition.
Sibiga noted that this issue was raised during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Italy.
Ukraine’s position and next steps
“We sanctioned those participants, and we are asking that the host country – Italy – not issue them visas. We very much hope that we will be heard. We have also discussed this with the Italian side”
– Andriy Sibiga
Tetiana Berezhna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for humanitarian policy and Minister of Culture, stated that Russia’s participation in the Venice Biennale is the normalization of war and a support for aggression.
Ukraine, together with international partners, is working to prevent Russia from participating in the exhibition.