EBU: No Zelensky video message at Eurovision final
In order to uphold principles and not further politicize the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), the organizers are refusing to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The head of state wanted to address the viewers with a video message at the ESC final in Liverpool on Saturday. But the hosting European Broadcasting Union (EBU) spoke out against it. Zelenskyy has “laudable intentions” but his request “regrettably” violates the rules, the EBU said.
The ESC is an international entertainment show, it was said as a reason. The “non-political nature” of the event is an important cornerstone. “This principle prohibits the possibility of making political or similar statements within the framework of the competition.” The BBC estimates that 160 million television viewers will watch worldwide.
Ukraine should actually host this year’s ESC after the Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra won the competition in 2022. However, the EBU moved the show to the UK, which finished second in 2022 with Sam Ryder, because of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against the country.