EU warns of potential sanctions violation over Russia’s participation in Biennale

According to the FT, the European Commission has sent letters to the Italian government and the Biennale organizers warning that the participation of the Russian pavilion may violate EU sanctions. In Brussels, this is seen as potentially constituting "indirect economic support" for the Kremlin.

In a letter to the organizers, the Commission said that failure to comply with sanctions "called into question its obligation to ensure respect of EU values."

"Any cost that Russia is covering to enable the Russian delegation of artists to participate at the biennale benefits the biennale, and appears to qualify as indirect provision of economic support,” the Commission said in a separate letter sent to the Italian government.

Brussels has also requested additional explanations from Rome and the organizers regarding arrangements with the Russian side. The organizers have been given 30 days to respond.

The outlet noted that the Russian pavilion is coordinated by Smart Art. Its co-founders include Ekaterina Vinokurova — the daughter of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov — and Anastasia Karneyeva, the daughter of a senior official at Russia’s Rostec.

The decision to allow Russia to participate in the Venice Biennale previously drew criticism from Ukraine and representatives of the European Union.

Amid the controversy, the international jury of the 61st International Art Exhibition resigned. According to the organizers, the reason was disagreements over allowing countries to participate whose leaders are subjects of investigations by the International Criminal Court.