Ukraine trying to prevent Russian artists who support Russia's aggression from performing in France

The Ukrainian Embassy in France has spoken out against the planned performances at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in spring-summer 2026 of a number of famous Russian performers who have repeatedly publicly supported Russia's war against Ukraine and Kremlin policies.

According to the French Embassy in Ukraine, the Theatre on Avenue Montaigne's 2025-2026 season program, scheduled from March to June will feature concerts featuring Anna Netrebko, Alexandra Dovgan, Dmitry Masleev, as well as Grigory Sokolov and Nikolai Lugansky.

The diplomatic institution notes that a number of these artists have repeatedly performed for Russian military personnel, received state awards from Vladimir Putin, or otherwise contributed to the advancement of the Kremlin's imperial and aggressive narratives.

"Culture in the hands of the Kremlin machine is a weapon, just like missiles and tanks, and is part of the information and propaganda war. Russian artists, by supporting aggression, justify war and the Kremlin's imperial narratives," the Embassy said.

Diplomats emphasize that, at a time when Russia continues to commit genocide against Ukrainians, leaves millions without heat and electricity in winter, destroys Ukraine's cultural heritage, and persecutes Ukrainian artists, inviting such performers to one of Paris' leading concert venues is a "cynical whitewashing operation" and an attempt to legitimize Russian propaganda under the guise of art.

The Ukrainian Embassy has already contacted the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture.

"...we are confident that our French partners and the public, who have always demonstrated solidarity with Ukraine, will respond accordingly to this attempt to legitimize Russian propaganda," the diplomatic mission noted.

Particular attention is being paid to the fact that a large-scale Ukrainian cultural program, titled "Culture Contre-Attaque" (Culture Counterattacks), is simultaneously underway in France, where Ukrainian artists present the truth about war and resistance. Against this backdrop, the performances of Russian artists in central Paris appear provocative, the diplomats emphasized.

"Culture should serve truth and freedom, not justify Russian aggression and war crimes," the Ukrainian Embassy in France emphasized.