Ukrainian leader President Zelenskyy has been barred from making an address during the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the contest, turned down Zelenskyy’s request on the grounds that it would politicize the event.
“The Eurovision Song Contest is an international entertainment show and governed by strict rules and principles which have been established since its creation. As part of these, one of the cornerstones of the contest is the non-political nature of the event,” the EBU said in a statement. “This principle prohibits the possibility of making political or similar statements as part of the contest. The request by Mr Zelenskyy to address the audience at the Eurovision Song Contest, whilst made with laudable intentions, regrettably cannot be granted as it would be against the rules of the event.”
This year’s Eurovision, which is being held in the British city of Liverpool, is set to be a joint effort between Ukraine and the U.K. following Ukraine’s win last year. Traditionally the winner of the contest hosts it the following year but due to the ongoing war in Ukraine the EBU deemed it impossible for the country to host. The U.K., which came in second place last year and has been a strong ally to Ukraine as it battles the continuing Russian invasion, was selected as a back-up with Ukraine assisting in its organization.
According to reports, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his disappointment over the EBU’s decision. “The Prime Minister believes it would be fitting for President Zelenskyy to address the event and we’re disappointed by the decision from the European Broadcasting Union,” his official spokesperson said, reported The Independent.”
“The values and freedoms that President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine are fighting for are not political, they’re fundamental, and Eurovision themselves recognised that last year when they rightly suspended Russia’s participation from the competition.”
Since Russian’s invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022 Zelenskyy, who was an actor before becoming a political leader, has become as known for his savvy media appearances as his wartime leadership, with VT appearances at events including the Grammys and the Golden Globes. However he was refused a platform at the Oscars earlier this year.
Pictured above: President Zelenskyy giving a speech at the Golden Globes.
