A music festival in Italy has canceled a concert featuring Russian conductor Valery Gergiev due to criticism from Kremlin critics and human rights advocates. Gergiev, an ally of Putin, has faced backlash since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli called the cancellation 'common sense' to protect 'the values of the free world.' Ukraine urged the cancellation, labeling Gergiev as 'Putin's mouthpiece.' The decision has been met with mixed reactions, including support from Yulia Navalnaya, while Moscow's ambassador condemned it as a 'scandalous situation.'