Ukraine has imposed sanctions on five Russian cultural propagandists
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree enacting the National Security and Defense Council’s decision to impose sanctions on five Russian cultural figures.
They spread propaganda and justify Russia’s aggression, particularly at international cultural events. The sanctions are linked to their participation in the 61st Venice Biennale.
Among them is Anastasia Karneeva, the daughter of the sanctioned deputy director general of Rostec, who has been appointed commissioner of the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale since 2021 and will represent Russia there this year.
Sanctions have also been imposed on Mikhail Shvidky, the Russian leader’s special representative for international cultural cooperation, who calls Russia’s war against Ukraine “an important historical moment.” He also publicly claims that Russia’s admission to the Venice Biennale is allegedly proof that Russian culture is not isolated.
This list also includes Russians who will participate in this year’s Venice Biennale on behalf of the aggressor state: violinist Valeria Oleinik, who has repeatedly visited the temporarily occupied Crimean Peninsula since 2014 to support the aggression; singer Ilya Tatakov, who participated in the creation of a propaganda film in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk Oblast to promote the ideas of the “Russian World”; and vocalist Artem Nikolaev, who last year participated in propaganda events in Crimea.
“Russia’s participation in the Venice Biennale is not about culture, but about using international platforms to legitimize aggression and spread propaganda. Either you oppose the Russian regime and have access to the cultural space of the free world, or you serve propaganda, face sanctions, and participate in the ‘cucumber’ festival,” noted Vladislav Vlasyuk, the President’s Advisor and Commissioner on Sanctions Policy.
Ukraine will provide all necessary information to its partners to synchronize sanctions within their jurisdictions.
Recall that Zelenskyyimposed sanctions against entities supporting the Russian military-industrial complex.
Zelenskyyon Russia’s ultimatum regarding Donbas.
Additionally, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that if Russia ceases its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Ukraine will respond in kind.
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