Dear President Guskiewicz, Dean Forger, Professor Harris, Professor Tarabara, and Editor-in-Chief Shubham:

The International Movement Arts Against Aggression is a global network of artists, cultural workers, scholars, activists, and institutions advocating for ethical responsibility in the cultural sphere and opposing the use of art and culture to legitimize aggression, authoritarianism, and imperial domination.

Since 2014, Arts Against Aggression has fought against Russian cultural propaganda in the U.S. and Europe, successfully preventing Putin’s artists from performing in the West.

In 2026, Arts Against Aggression, in collaboration with Ukrainian organizations, local communities, and the Embassy of Ukraine, successfully helped cancel Kremlin-aligned violinist Vadim Repin’s performances with the Palm Beach Symphony Orchestra, scheduled for March 2, and the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, scheduled for November 6–7, as well as his masterclass for students in the Palm Beach School District. Earlier this year, Vadim Repin’s concerts in Italy, Germany, and Hungary were also canceled amid criticism of his support for Putin’s criminal regime and his festival’s funding from Putin’s Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives.(You can learn about Vadim Repin’s propaganda activities in the open letter published by Arts Against Aggression.)

We just learned that violinist Vadim Repin, who is closely associated with Putin, has been invited to lead a virtual master class for violin students at Michigan State University and participate in an interactive conversation with MSU violin professor Dmitri Berlinsky on November 11, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. in Murray Hall. https://music.msu.edu/event/masterclass-with-vadim-repin-violin/

Even more disturbing is the fact that, while the Center for European and Eurasian Studies at Michigan State University issued a statement condemning Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine—signed by 38 university professors who copied this letter—MSU violin professor Dmitri Berlinsky continued collaborating with Russian state institutions. In 2024, he represented Michigan State University at the Russian Cultural Foundation in Moscow, where he conducted an online masterclass as part of Repin’s Trans-Siberian Art Festival youth program.This program received 135,581 USD (₽12,450,040.00) directly from Putin’s Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives.

Established by Putin in 2021, the foundation finances projects that promote Kremlin narratives, justify the war against Ukraine, promote anti-Ukrainian propaganda and Russification in occupied territories. The Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives is subject to international sanctions.

The financial aspect deserves special attention. Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Vadim Repin has received over 100 million roubles from the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives. On June 30, 2026, Vadim Repin applied for a $1.2 million Russian state grant (₽94,616,450.15) for his 2027 Trans-Siberian Art Festival. Twenty percent of the funding is provided by the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives, with the remainder coming from other Russian state funds. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that the Kremlin is cutting soldiers’ benefits by 25% in 2026 while increasing “propaganda” spending by over 50%. Unable to win on the battlefield, it is turning to a “special cultural operation,” including appearances abroad by Repin and other Russian artists, as well as visits to Moscow by American artists.

We recognize the importance of freedom of expression and university independence. However, as a state institution, MSU should consider the broader public interest and the consequences of providing a platform to representatives of Putin’s regime. We recommend that MSU investigate Professor Berlinsky’s financial relationship with Repin’s festival, which is funded by Putin’s foundation, and clarify whether he was authorized to represent the university in Moscow. We also recommend that the Belle S. and Julius N. Harris Distinguished Visiting Artist Fund review whether collaboration with Putin’s cultural emissary aligns with the Fund’s purposes and complies with applicable law.

We strongly believe that it is deeply inappropriate for MSU to invite a musician associated with Putin’s regime to give a masterclass while Russia continues murdering Ukrainian artists, destroying cultural institutions, and bombing universities. Just a few days ago Russian ballistic missiles struck the campus and student dormitories of the State University of Trade and Economics in Kyiv, leaving at least 1 person dead and 15 others injured.

This is not collateral damage, but rather Russian state policy to erase Ukrainian culture, identity and heritage. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, museums, libraries, concert halls, academic and cultural institutions across the country have been damaged or destroyed by Russian forces, with collections scattered, stolen, or lost. More than 300 Ukrainian cultural figures have been murdered.

We sincerely hope that the Michigan State University will reconsider their decision to host Vadim Repin, who acts as Russia’s cultural shield, obscuring the daily war crimes of the Putin regime, while pretending to build cultural bridges.

If the university decides to proceed with Repin’s masterclass, Arts Against Aggression, in collaboration with local Ukrainian organizations, would educate MSU students, faculty, and the broader public about Vadim Repin’s role in Russian cultural propaganda, the lavish rewards and honors he received from the Putin regime, —factors that led to his cancellation across Europe and the United States. It would also offer College of Music students a valuable lesson in how a lack of moral principles can damage a musician’s reputation and career.

-Arts Against Aggression