This year's art biennial has been criticized for allowing both Israel and Russia to exhibit. The international prize jury resigned in protest in April.
Now the European Commission is withdrawing support for the years 2025–2028.
"Europe's taxpayers should not finance a backroom where Putin's Russia can wash its reputation," comments the Liberals' Karin Karlsbro, the European Parliament's chief negotiator for EU-Ukraine financial assistance.
According to EU Commissioner Henna Virkkunen, EU-funded culture should promote democratic values, which the Commission believes is not compatible with today's Russia.
Russia did not participate in the 2022 and 2024 biennial editions.
