Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have urged European Commission leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas, to prevent Russia's participation in the 61st Venice Biennale, scheduled from May 9 to November 22, 2026. This call is supported by Ukraine's foreign policy chief, who highlights Russia's rejection of peace proposals and dialogue, arguing that Russia's presence would legitimize its actions and undermine EU trust. MEPs condemned the biennale organizers' decision to welcome Russia while Ukrainian cities are bombed and cultural heritage is destroyed, emphasizing that Russia, under EU sanctions, should not receive funding from European taxpayers. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Georgiy Tykhiy, noted the inconsistency of the organizers' position since 2022 and stressed that Russia uses culture as propaganda to whitewash war crimes. The MEPs also called for suspending EU funding for the biennale and imposing sanctions on those involved in the Russian pavilion, citing its ties to the military-industrial complex.