EUROVISION 2017: RUSSIA IS OUT

The Russian Chennel One has just declared:

The Channel One received a letter from the European Broadcasting Union stating that the EBU was unable to resolve the issue of participation in the Eurovision 2017 of Russia by Julia Samoilova. This EBU reports with reference to the decision of the special services of Ukraine.

The Chenel One considers the refusal of the Ukrainian side to be absolutely unreasonable. The reason for this is Ukraine's attempt to politicize the contest, whose goal throughout the 62 year history was to unite people.

The European Broadcasting Union continues to offer the option of Julia Samoilova's remote participation or replacement by another participant. But the Chennel One considered both, and the options are unacceptable.

Remote performance discriminates against the Russian participant and is contrary to the rules and principles of the competition. The option of replacing Julia Samoilova with another performer, in our opinion, can not even be considered.

In the current situation, the Channel One does not consider it possible to broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest-2017.

Flame is out.

Update: EBU confirmed the news some time after:

"These proposals were to either take part via satellite or to change their chosen artist to one who could legally travel to Ukraine for the duration of the Contest. Sadly both proposals have been rejected by Channel One and they have now announced they do not intend to broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. Unfortunately this means Russia will no longer be able to take part in this year’s competition. We very much wanted all 43 countries to be able to participate and did all we could to achieve this," the EBU states.
Frank Dieter Freiling, Chairman of the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group, the event’s steering committee, said: "We strongly condemn the Ukrainian authorities' decision to impose a travel ban on Julia Samoylova as we believe 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. However, preparations continue apace for the Eurovision Song Contest in the host city Kyiv. Our top priority remains to produce a spectacular Eurovision Song Contest with our Member UA:PBC in May."

Comments

Milan S. said…

I have no pity for Russia or Ukraine either - they've both politicized the event recklessly. Ukraine by using the current political mood in Europe to boost an anti-Russian song, and Russia by putting a wheelchair-bound person through this charade without no expectation at all that she'll actually participate. Disgusting - and disgusting.

13:48

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