The Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm has expelled Valery Gergiev from its membership.

The Academy noted in a press release, “at the meeting of the Royal Musical Academy on October 10, the decision was made to exclude the Russian conductor Valery Gergiev as a foreign member. He was excluded on the basis of his unwillingness to take a stand against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A position that the academy has demanded of him in view of his well-documented close relationship with President Vladimir Putin. An extensive preparation at the initiative of the academy’s board is the basis for the decision.”

The Academy noted that at the start of the war it took an early active role in support of Ukraine and contacts with music colleges and other music institutions in Sweden laid the foundation for mapping and coordinating the readiness to receive Ukrainian musicians and music students. Additionally, it started a fundraising account for the reconstruction of Ukraine’s musical life.

The Academy also stated, “a united Western world stands united against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – so does the King. Musical Academy. That Gergiev, based on his position of international luminosity, influence, and status, does not take a stand against the invasion is very serious, especially considering his close connection to the Putin regime.”

The Academy’s secretary Fredrik Wetterqvist,  added, “The preparation of this matter has been important and had to take a certain amount of time. The Royal Academy takes a clear position against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but we do not engage in opinion registration. Freedom of expression prevails in Sweden, but this situation is unique. The academy should not be associated with a person who so unequivocally supports a regime that threatens nuclear war. We are not going to choose the same strategy as Valery Gergiev, namely silence.”

Gergiev was elected as a member of the Academy in 2011 on musical merit. This is the latest expulsion for the Russian conductor. He was previously fired from positions in Verbier, Rotterdam, and Munich and has been banned from performing the in the West. Recently his concerts in Japan were also canceled. Since the start of the war, Gergiev has been conducting extensively in Russia where he is the music director of the Mariinsky Theatre.