Switzerland Cancels Screening of RT Film After Ukrainian Objections

Swiss authorities have cancelled the planned screening of a film produced by Russia’s state propaganda broadcaster RT, following objections from Ukrainian diplomats and civil society activists. Kyiv has welcomed the decision as a clear rejection of Kremlin war propaganda in Europe’s public and cultural spaces.

The move concerns the film “Maidan: The Road to War”, which Ukrainian officials and independent experts describe as a distorted, propagandistic portrayal of Ukraine’s 2014 Maidan Revolution.

Kyiv Welcomes the Swiss Decision

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha praised the municipality of Muralto for cancelling the screening. Writing on X on January 12, Sybiha said Ukraine welcomed the decision and thanked those who spoke out against the event.

According to the minister, Ukrainian civil society activists and diplomats had actively opposed the screening, warning Swiss authorities about the nature of the film and its political purpose. “Their objections were heard,” Sybiha noted, framing the cancellation as an example of democratic responsiveness rather than censorship.

“Kremlin propaganda has no place in public spaces,” he wrote. “Freedom of speech should not be a shield for disinformation or a justification for war.”

RT Film Identified as State Propaganda

Sybiha stressed that the controversy was not about suppressing alternative opinions but about blocking state-sponsored disinformation. He described the RT film as one of many attempts by Russian war propaganda to reach European audiences through cultural and media channels.

RT, formerly Russia Today, has been widely identified by European institutions as a key tool of Russian information warfare, particularly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

RT, formerly Russia Today, it has been widely identified by European institutions as a key tool of Russian information warfare, particularly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU introduced sanctions against RT in March 2022.

Cultural Pushback Against Kremlin Narratives

The Swiss decision fits into a broader European pattern of distancing cultural institutions from openly pro-Kremlin figures and content. In recent months, the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino cancelled a performance by Russian artists who publicly support Moscow’s war against Ukraine.

In November, authorities in the Netherlands cancelled a concert by a pianist who had performed alongside pro-Putin musicians, citing reputational and ethical concerns.

These decisions reflect a growing consensus among European cultural institutions that neutrality does not extend to state propaganda that justifies war or denies documented atrocities.

Switzerland’s Approach

Switzerland often presents itself as a neutral space for dialogue and cultural exchange. The Muralto decision shows the limits of that neutrality when cultural events cross into overt political messaging linked to an ongoing war.

Rather than framing the cancellation as censorship, Ukrainian officials and supporters have highlighted the distinction between open debate and organised disinformation campaigns backed by a state engaged in military aggression.

A Signal Beyond One Film

The cancellation of “Maidan: The Road to War” may seem symbolic, but symbols matter in information warfare. Blocking a single screening will not stop Russian propaganda, yet it sends a message that European public spaces actively resist narratives designed to legitimise violence.

For Kyiv, the decision reinforces an argument it has been making since 2022. Defending territorial integrity, international law, and democratic values also means defending the information environment in which those values operate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the RT film cancelled in Switzerland?
Because it was identified as Russian state propaganda justifying the war against Ukraine.

Where was the screening planned?
In the Swiss municipality of Muralto.

Is this about limiting free speech?
Ukrainian officials say it is about blocking state disinformation, not free expression.

Have similar events been cancelled elsewhere in Europe?
Yes, cultural events involving pro-Kremlin figures have recently been cancelled in Italy and the Netherlands.