Ukrainians Cancel Screening of Pro-Russian Film in Lisbon

The planned screening of the documentary was set to take place at Auditório Camões in Lisbon on March 11, 2026. According to reports from Ukrinform, the initiative to cancel the event arose from combined efforts by the Ukrainian embassy in Portugal and the Ukrainian Community Association in the country.

Pavel Sadokha, Vice President of the Ukrainian World Congress for Southern Europe and head of the Ukrainian Association in Portugal, confirmed the cancellation through social media. Sadokha described the film as a piece produced by Italian and Belgian propagandists, Sara Reginella and Alexandre Penasse, intended to promote the narrative that Ukraine is responsible for the conflict that escalated in 2014.

This portrayal is a common tactic employed by Russian propaganda, aimed at undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and painting its government in a negative light. The auditorium administration reportedly was misled by the event's organizers concerning the documentary's content, which contributed to the initial approval of the screening.

After the Ukrainian community raised concerns about the film, the embassy intervened swiftly to address the potential spread of misinformation and to protect the integrity of the local community. Sadokha expressed gratitude towards the Ukrainian embassy in Portugal and the Lisbon municipality for their prompt and effective actions against this attempt at cultural propaganda.

This event mirrors similar responses from Ukrainian communities abroad, such as the recent cancellation of a Russian cosmonaut's appearance in Israel, following comparable concerns. The incident in Lisbon adds to the ongoing narrative of active Ukrainian resistance to disinformation efforts by pro-Russian entities worldwide.

By mobilizing local communities and government support, Ukrainian nationals continue to combat propaganda that seeks to legitimize aggression against Ukraine. This cancellation showcases the determination of the Ukrainian diaspora to play an active role in fighting against narratives that threaten their country's reputation and sovereignty.