A new escalation took place between the Venice Biennale Foundation and the European Union. Henna Virkkunen, Vice President of the European Commission, said on X that she had requested that EACEA remove the €2 million financing for the Venice institution. The judgment punishes the Biennale's decision to enable the reopening of the Russian Federation Pavilion, which opened on May 9th. According to Brussels, the promotion of democratic values, which are currently being violated in Moscow, must be the primary objective of taxpayer-funded culture. The Biennale’s immediate response challenged the way the news was communicated, stating that it learned of the decision through social media rather than through official technical channels. It stated that it has responded to all clarifications and is awaiting a formal statement to convey its position. The decision to reopen the Russian Pavilion has historical roots. Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, the Biennale's president, defended the choice on the basis of art's impartiality. However, the inauguration on Russia's Victory Day triggered widespread international protests. The matter has also caused conflict with the Italian Ministry of Culture. Minister Alessandro Giuli, who has ruled out the possibility of appointing a commissioner, has dispatched inspectors to Venice, describing the case as a diplomatic "mess" that has not been agreed upon with the government. As of now, the EU act is a political "recommendation" that is not legally obligatory. The experts will be responsible for translating it into a revocation, which will likely result in a legal dispute.