Russia suspends display of museum items at foreign exhibitions - Culture Ministry

MOSCOW. June 24 (Interfax) - The Russian Culture Ministry suspended from March 3 the temporary allotment and exportation of museum exhibits from Russia for the purpose of their display at foreign exhibitions, yet cooperation on exhibitions with friendly countries will resume in 2023, a ministry representative told reporters on Friday.

"The Russian Culture Ministry suspended the temporary allotment and exportation of museum exhibits from the territory of the Russian Federation back on March 3. A respective letter was sent to all subordinated museums then," the official said in response to a relevant question.

"Cooperation with friendly countries, including the temporary exportation of art pieces for exhibitions, will resume in 2023," the official said.

The ministry and museums rapidly organized the return of exhibits to Russia since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine, and "the Russian Culture Ministry is monitoring the issue on a daily basis," the official said.

"About 1,500 items have been brought back to Russia from exhibitions held in the Republic of Belarus, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Spain, Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, the Sultanate of Oman, Serbia, France, Czechia, and Japan," he said.

The Culture Ministry is working together with the government, the Foreign Ministry, the customs authorities, the Federal Air Transport Agency, insurance companies and museums to return all Russian museum exhibits from abroad, the official said.