All works of art in Russian state fund may return to Russia within one month - special envoy

MOSCOW. May 12 (Interfax) - The return of all exhibits which are in the Russian state fund from foreign exhibitions may take place within the next month, Russian Special Presidential Representative for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoi told Interfax on Thursday.

"I think that in general we will return (to Russia) all works of art, which are in the Russian state fund and which are owned by state museums, within the next month. So I don't see any special problems here," Shvydkoi said.

"There is work in progress. It is clear that under current conditions it is challenging, but diplomats and employees of the Culture Ministry and museums are working hard to bring everything back to Russia," he said.

Speaking about the Moscow Kremlin Museums' exhibits from the exhibition of the works of arts by Carl Faberge in London, Shvydkoi said that there is "a normal working process" concerning their return. All required procedures are currently underway. As for the timeframe for the return of the artworks to Russia, he said it is not yet possible to say.