Russian culture is expansionary and imperialistic in nature. For generations it has nurtured superiority over other nations which were first subjugated by the Russian Empire and later by the Soviet state. The Russian Federation has chosen to continue this unfortunate practice. Nearly all Russian culture continues the tradition of Russian imperialism mainly due to the fact that Russia’s expansionist policies have never been condemned and publicly denounced. This is one of the key narratives supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—an action supported by the majority of the country’s population.

Withhold any funding, support, or even attention you once provided to Russian artists, writers, or musicians. There should be no room for their exhibitions, publications, or concerts. There should be no mention of them in the press as long as Russian soldiers are obliterating our cultural heritage, removing Ukrainian books, and forcing Ukrainian children to learn the Russian language and literature in the schools of occupied Ukrainian towns.

is the motto of the European Union. Russia's motto may be: "Unity in conformity. Russian world—for the whole world." Anything they consider not “Russian” has long been seen as unworthy, inferior and corrupt. Today is the time to restore visibility to entire nations crippled by Russian imperialism.

Russian culture today is nothing more than the result of long-term theft of subjugated cultures by the state. Decolonisation of Russia is impossible without the complete cancellation of its culture. After all, under the guise of culture as “soft power” in its most diverse manifestations, Russia has exerted and continues to exert authoritarian pressure across the world.