Channel One has announced they will not broadcast this year’s Eurovision after unsuccessful negotiations between the European Broadcasting Union and the Ukrainian government which means Russia will not compete in Kyiv.
Troubles started when Ukraine put a travel ban on Russian participant Yuliya Samoilova after having discovered he had performed in Crimea two years ago, which is incompatible with the Ukrainian law. As a result, the singer was prohibited from stepping on the Ukrainian territory for three years.
After this decision was taken, the European Broadcasting Union started looking for a proper solution that could allow Russia compete at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. Firstly, the broadcaster was suggested sending another artist that could legally travel to the competition, but Channel One announced they didn’t intend to replace Yuliya Samoilova. A second alternative was the chance to participate via satellite, but this last option was also rejected by the Russian broadcaster. On the other hand, the European Broadcasting Union also tried to negotiate with the Ukrainian government in order to make them postpone Yuliya’s ban until after the competition, but they definitely rejected changing their mind.
The European Broadcasting Union has expressed dissatisfaction regarding the position of the Ukrainian Security Services as “It thoroughly undermines the integrity and non-political nature of the Eurovision Song Contest and its mission to bring all nations together in friendly competition.”
You can read EBU’s official statement below:
Russia was going to compete at the Second Semi-Final of Eurovision 2017 with the singer Yuliya Samoilova performing “Flame is Burning”:
What do you think about this situation? Will you miss Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest?