Zelensky Imposes Sanctions on Russians Linked to Venice Biennale Participation

Ukraine sanctioned five Russian cultural figures accused of promoting Kremlin narratives at international events, including the Venice Biennale. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied (Image by Depositphotos) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed sanctions on five Russian cultural figures linked to Moscow’s participation in the Venice Biennale, according to a decree published on Friday, April 10. The sanctions target individuals accused of promoting Russian state propaganda and justifying the war against Ukraine at international cultural platforms. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Those sanctioned include Anastasia Karneeva, commissioner of the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale, and Mikhail Shvydkoy, a Kremlin envoy for international cultural cooperation. Three other individuals – violinist Valeria Oleinik, singer Ilya Tatakov, and vocalist Artem Nikolaev – were also included for their involvement in pro-Russian cultural and propaganda activities, including events in occupied Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said Russia’s participation in international cultural events is being used to legitimize its aggression and spread propaganda narratives. Kyiv said it would share the sanctions list with international partners to encourage coordinated measures. The Venice Biennale is one of the world’s most prestigious cultural events, bringing together artists, performers, and national pavilions from dozens of countries. Held every two years in Venice, Italy, it serves as a major platform for contemporary art and international cultural exchange, often reflecting broader political and social tensions. Last month the international exhibition declared that Russia would be allowed to participate this year, saying the decision reflects its opposition to “any form of exclusion or censorship of culture and art. Other Topics of Interest Easing of US Sanctions Fails to Boost Russian Oil Shipments, Kyiv Says Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SZRU) said Russia has failed to increase oil exports in March despite a temporary easing of US sanctions amid intensified Ukrainian strikes. The European Commission has warned it could withdraw funding from the Venice Biennale after organizers decided to allow Russia to participate for the first time since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. More than 6,000 artists, academics, curators, journalists and political figures signed an open letter this week urging the leadership of the Venice Biennale to “address the implications” of allowing Russia to participate. Italy’s government has also come out in opposition to the Biennale’s move, saying it was made “entirely independently” of Rome’s wishes.  Ukraine has also protested the decision . “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,” said Andriy Sybiha, the foreign minister, and Tetyana Berezhna, the culture minister, in a statement over the weekend. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has gloated, with Mikhail Shvydkoi, Vladimir Putin’s special representative for international cultural cooperation, describing the decision as “further proof that Russian culture is not isolated and that attempts to silence it – undertaken over the last four years by Western political elites – have failed.” Yuliia Zavadska is a news writer at Kyiv Post. She has experience in breaking news coverage, fact-checking, and digital journalism, with a focus on fast, accurate reporting and clear storytelling. Before joining Kyiv Post, she worked as a news feed editor for several leading Ukrainian media outlets.