Overview
- The theatre said the Jan. 20–21 appearances are temporarily postponed rather than canceled, with refunds available.
- Ukraine’s embassy in Italy had urged the mayor of Florence and the theatre’s management to block the shows as unacceptable.
- Svetlana Zakharova, sanctioned by Ukraine for pro-Kremlin ties, was to perform an evening titled Pas de deux for toes and fingers with violinist Vadim Repin.
- A U.S.-based research group, the Robert Lansing Institute, framed the planned appearance as part of a Russian propaganda strategy.
- Russia’s embassy in Italy condemned the move as russophobic, as Italy continues to see disputes over engagements by figures such as Valery Gergiev and Ildar Abdrazakov.