In recent weeks she’s been at the centre of an international media storm after Ukraine banned her from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 over a past trip to Crimea.

And on Wednesday Russian news media Bloknot revealed that Julia Samoylova will return to Crimea to perform in the stunning seaside city of Sevastopol to mark Victory Day on May 9.

Victory Day commemorates the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany, which helped end the Second World War. This year it coincides with the first semi-final of Eurovision 2017.

Bloknot reports that “the city is now preparing for the event and has coordinated details with the singer,” though the concert has yet to be officially announced.

Sergei Aksyonov, who Russia acknowledges as the prime minister of the Republic of Crimea, has made it clear he hopes Julia comes to the region more often.

“Ukraine should be deprived of the right to hold Eurovision,” he’s quoted as saying. “It would be right and just. And Julia, you’re invited to come more often to the Russian Crimea.”

Even if her dream of representing Russia at Eurovision has come to an end (at least for this year), Julia remained poised and upbeat as she gave her take on Ukraine’s travel ban and Channel One’s withdrawal. 

“The support is unreal,” she told Channel One. “It’s not just Russia either — it’s from all over the world. In Japan, they draw me like an anime hero!”

That international support wasn’t enough to get her into Eurovision 2017, however. But, as a performer used to being told “no” throughout her career, Julia isn’t as subdued as you might think.

“It’s upsetting because it’s my dream, but I believe in hope. I believe I will go to Eurovision again. I want my example to inspire people, to inspire them to not surrender in any situation, live a full life and follow their dreams.”

Her message is simple: “Do not give up!”

Until the decision was announced, Julia was dedicated to the task of representing her country on the Eurovision stage and flying the flag for Moscow.

“I would have flown to Kyiv, even under threat of arrest.”

Read more Russia Eurovision news

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da
da
7 years ago

classic KGB

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
7 years ago

What a Shady Lady she is lol

Julie
Julie
7 years ago

@Wiwiblogg Moderators: What are the rules regarding the comments on this site and where the line is drawn? Amid the general animosity, two people have directly called Yulia a b****. These comments are unjustifiable and revolting, and have no place on a quality blog with so many wonderful contributors such as Wiwibloggs. Can those particular comments be removed? On a more positive note, I just wanted to say that Yulia has my admiration, and she has shown so much strength in the face of Ukraine’s hardline and exclusive behavior. Even if there is politics involved on her side, I don’t… Read more »

MS
MS
7 years ago

She make a choice, and I don’t like it. And I don’t like that we we even discuss it. It is politic. We shall discussions and be a little uppsett over music not at political matters. So, what do you think about her song!

neil bidon
neil bidon
7 years ago

why is this relevant?
#she is no longer in the contest, she is a nobody-
good riddance to her and russia

Shona
Shona
7 years ago

O-M-G. So much hate. It’s definitely not a “come together ” for Ukraine and Russia this year. Perhaps that’s why they are celebrating DIVERSITY

Tom
Tom
7 years ago

Russia choose an artist who Russians themselves haven’t heard a lot about, in a wheelchair with a song which has no potential to succeed, they haven’t booked their hotel in Kiev even before they got the message that they can’t compete, even though delegations of other countries did that way earlier. So Russia knew that she won’t compete way before you, and after all she returns to Crimea in the days eurovision starts. You are so easily manipulated by russian political system, and all your hate goes to Ukraine, stay narrow minded, those who want a peaceful shows who bring… Read more »

Tom
Tom
7 years ago

Russian singer Lolita denied entry to Ukraine, she was born in Ukraine, in Ukraine lives her mother and daughter. Lolita went to visit his sick daughter. In 2014 the Ukraine Nazis beat her mother, criminals unpunished so far.
youtube.com/watch?v=bpO50wDbg8k

Andrew Birch
Andrew Birch
7 years ago

The only reason people got behind her was because she is in a wheelchair thats why Russia chose her as it would make a great story without it it would not have made a big deal .

Mar
Mar
7 years ago

Lmao Russia just won’t quit, what a fricking telenovela.

Ern
Ern
7 years ago

I love how she’s trolling Ukraine.

Wunderkind
Wunderkind
7 years ago

Well done Julia. And good luck if you participate next year.

Tom
Tom
7 years ago

Sevastopol patriotic city. Sevastopol people are most happy that their land back to home – to Russia.

Zebb
Zebb
7 years ago
Reply to  Tom

Well, considering that they still praise Stalin, why then they offended by songs like 1944?

Julian
Julian
7 years ago

If she was to come to Kyiv for Eurovision than yes, a visit to Crimea prior to that would have been a provocation. But she is no longer coming and was offered to sing for the Victory Day Concert in Sevastopol. Probably has some other offers too for concerts mostly in Russia – is not like she was a superstar. She is now more famous so she could earn more money than before for her participation, has bills like all people have. As regards to the view of the organizers her presence there means more audience, more money, more media… Read more »

Julie
Julie
7 years ago

You go girl!!

I like food
I like food
7 years ago

Let’s turn a blind eye to Jamala! Yeah…

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
7 years ago

As usual wiwibloggs not being objective and siding with Russia in this. It’s over, she isn’t coming. Concentrate on those that didn’t break the law!

Patrick G
Patrick G
7 years ago

She’s banned from the country. Welcome to prison I guess

R
R
7 years ago

People complain and complain, but why would Julia refuse this gig? (And if it wasn’t for some other political things, she would be occupied and unavailable to go to Crimea on the 9th of May)

Mameo
Mameo
7 years ago

O.M.G. Are they serious?

Marcus (Day One)
Marcus (Day One)
7 years ago

Clearly she is doing this to antagonise Ukraine.
She was never going to compete at Eurovision this year.
I have no sympathy for her just because she’s in a wheelchair. I’m disabled myself but I don’t deserve any sympathy.
If I broke the law I’d never even accept an invitation to participate knowing I won’t be aloud in the country.

She deserves no sympathy what so ever.

Skimur
Skimur
7 years ago

I agree with every word. Julia was just an instrument of propaganda, a concert in the Crimea will be a confirmation of this.

Lianne
Lianne
7 years ago

Really glad that the people who were supporting Julia are finally seeing the true colours of Russia & Julia. How manipulative. The only thing I’m proud of Russia is for beating the Nazis & ending the holocaust. that’s all

Mark Beckenbreur
Mark Beckenbreur
7 years ago
Reply to  Lianne

Hello? Soviets done it not Russia.

Angela
Angela
7 years ago
Reply to  Lianne

Russians were against nazis only, cause they attacked them. Previously, Russia was nazis ally 🙂

Hada
Hada
7 years ago

Russia is like that kid who throws tantrums so the adults pay attention to him.

ipek
ipek
7 years ago

Now everybody can see that Ukraine was right.
How naive to defend Russia. How can you think that such
a country like Russia is not the teaser, but the victim?

Tusán
7 years ago

Ugh, she’s just stupid and at this point, irrelevant. Next.

Bubble Dubble
Bubble Dubble
7 years ago

I hope she wins next year and those who banned her can go to hell. Such unfair .

Joe
Joe
7 years ago

I had enough of this in my life, bye.

Pinkpussycat
Pinkpussycat
7 years ago

Great news. Greetings to ukraininan nazis.

No Name
No Name
7 years ago

She’s a troll. There, I said it

Pekka
Pekka
7 years ago

Poor girl. She’s used as a puppet for Russias dirty political games. Strangely it seems she does not care about hurting Ukrainian’s feelings at all. 🙁

Pinkpussycat
Pinkpussycat
7 years ago
Reply to  Pekka

You are a troll

Marcus (Day One)
Marcus (Day One)
7 years ago
Reply to  Pekka

I know.
She was banned from entering to Ukraine because she entered Ukraine illegally and then she does the exact same on the night of the first semifinal.
She’s either really stupid or doesn’t care for Ukraine at all.

YellowSubmarine
YellowSubmarine
7 years ago

Why should she care for Ukraine. After the Crimean Referendum when 96% of people voted to rejoin Russia, Ukrainians cut the electricity, gas, water and food supply to Crimea. Did Ukraine care for 2 mln people back then in 2014? F**k Ukraine. That’s not a country. That’s a propaganda project.

Samuel
Samuel
7 years ago

Well now we see that Ukraine was right all this time. I hope that people finally understood this.

ESC84
ESC84
7 years ago

I think FIFA 2018 shoud ban Ukraine

Fatima
Fatima
7 years ago
Reply to  ESC84

And they should have also moved the World Cup from Russia because of the doping scandal

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

I’m sorry, I just threw up from the bad smell of politics.

cheesecake
cheesecake
7 years ago

She could be mature and turn the offer down after everything that’s happened, but no… Keep provoking.

adriana
adriana
7 years ago

Well looks like Ukraine was right all along…I was felling sorry for the girl.

Poet
Poet
7 years ago

What a shame. This just shows that Ukraine was right from the very beginning. How ugly can Russia play.

Melissa
Melissa
7 years ago

What are the Russians trying to prove? That Ukraine was right all the time banning Julia. Good job, Russia…. Well done!

Cf
Cf
7 years ago

She’s not even relevant this year after being banned from the competition. Who gives a damn about what she’s doing?

cars10
cars10
7 years ago

Pure provocation. Again. And no, she is not the victim, is not, was not, never was.
Lasha tumbai!

Jurij
Jurij
7 years ago

I hope Ukraine win Eurovision 2017. That mean that we will not see her at Eurovision 2018.

beccaboo1212
7 years ago
Reply to  Jurij

I’m not really expecting Ukraine to win on home soil unfortunately. At least they can still surprise the viewing by being on the bottom left hand corner of the scoreboard. :/

TC
TC
7 years ago

And this is why the government banned her from the country. She’s idiotic for doing this again.

bis
bis
7 years ago

Pathetic

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

in psychology the more someone is resisted to do something, the more they want to do it. this is the perfect example.

Tusán
7 years ago
Reply to  fikri

Oh come on… she’s not a victim or a manipulated innocent girl. She’s a hardcore Russian nationalist.