The Council of the European Union announced on April 23 that it is formally sanctioning Mikhail Piotrovsky, the long-time director of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. The reasons given are that Piotrovsky is “a close associate of Vladimir Putin” and that “he has actively supported and justified Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.” The news was first reported by The Art Newspaper. According to the Hermitage Development Foundation, Piotrovsky succeed his father, Boris, as director of the state-run museum in 1992, which is around the time he met Putin. He has a background in Arabic studies and archaeology, and studied at Leningrad State University and the University of Cairo. Related Articles When Piotrovsky turned 80 on Dec. 9, 2024, Putin sent him the following message, according to a Kremlin news site: “You have devoted your talents as a scholar, researcher and organiser to the noble mission of preserving humanity’s unique historical, cultural and spiritual heritage. Your many years of fruitful work as head of the State Hermitage Museum made an immense contribution to the advancement of museology in our country, serving as an inspiring example of selfless dedication to people and the Fatherland.” Piotrovsky is …