It’s the eurodrama that has engulfed the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. And last night, the drama played out its final act, as Russian broadcaster Channel One withdrew Julia Samoylova and her song “Flame Is Burning” from this year’s contest in protest of a travel ban imposed on her by Ukraine’s security services. 

Now Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC has hit back at Channel One and suggested Russia’s goal this year wasn’t to compete in Eurovision at all.

Instead, they suggest Russia came to create a “negative atmosphere” around the preparation and organisation of the event.

“The refusal of the Channel One (Russia) to broadcast Eurovision proves that despite the declared respect for the fundamental values of Eurovision, the key ones being mutual respect and political neutrality, the Russian side’s goal was always not to participate in the contest, but to create a negative atmosphere around the preparation and organization of the event.”

They also state that Channel One was unwilling to reach an alternative solution.

“Respecting the desire of EBU to ensure the participation in the Song Contest of representatives of 43 all countries, supporting the traditional spirit of Eurovision, the Ukrainian side had repeatedly invited the Russian Federation to send to Kyiv a participant who did not violate Ukrainian legislation. However, the Russian side left its decision unchanged.”

UA:PBC’s focus is now on successful delivery of the contest.

“In just a few weeks, Ukraine will welcome the guests and fans of the contest in Kyiv and create an unforgettable celebration of music and all-European cultural values for everyone.”

Eurofans will be aware Samoylova’s travel ban was imposed because she performed in illegally annexed Crimea, thus violating Ukrainian law. Her participation had been in doubt since she was announced as the Russian representative in March. Julia’s withdrawal makes 2017 the first year since 2000 that Russia won’t compete in the Eurovision Song Contest.

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agherrera
agherrera
7 years ago

Total Nonsense! Ukraine is guilty of sin of politicizing this event. An event that is supposed to be above petty politics. So Russia or any other country is supposed to get their singers approved by the host nation before sending them to Eurovision?! Total nonsense….what…wait we don’t like that one either..send us another….? Ukraine is extremely guilty here and the EBU should outright ban Ukraine for 3 years! Get some backbone EBU! start enforcing the rules on your books and teach these people rules are there for a reason. Russia knowingly is guilty as well for not broadcasting. They should… Read more »

R
R
7 years ago

Both parties are wrong.
Russia is clearly strategic in sending Julia who is an innocent contestant caught between the crossfire.
Ukraine is obviously flexing its newfound muscle as well, sending Jamala with a clear political song and then barring Russia.

Methinks just kick both out next year or something as punishment.

Sheldam
Sheldam
7 years ago

The thing that Russia won’t broadcast the event does not mean they did not really want to participate.
When a country does not take part to the contest, it is not obliged to broadcast it.
All this drama is making me sick. They are putting politics on a contest that should have nothing to do with it. I blame both, but Ukraine is the host, they are supposed to give the good example.
Shame on them.

DyGh
DyGh
7 years ago

I just wonder how the fans, the presenters and the EBU (especially Jon Ola Sand) will react during the contest. Will the fans ‘boo’ when O.Torvald performs? Are the presenters going to give some ‘thoughts’? Will Jon Ola Sand give a live statement (would be hillarious)?

I hope Jon Ola Sand will appear on stage after the winner is announced and then he states that Ukraine can’t compete for 5 years. That would be epic although I don’t think it’s Unkraine’s entire fault.

I like food
I like food
7 years ago

Moreover EBU’s fault- letting Jamala even participate

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

I do agree with him … in hindsight Russia took the opportunity to somehow take vengeance against our booings and last year’s loss by using a singer that would mess up with our human sensibility and consciousness … besides trying to make Ukraine be the beast in this whole negative circus called “URSS-mama is dead but still alive in this love/hate relationship”. The fact that we all have to witness this on TV through a song contest is disconcerting and appalling but it should teach the EBU one major lesson … you wanted these nations to be in it naively… Read more »

vlvikin
vlvikin
7 years ago

Samojlova added to Mirotvorez
22.12.2016 07:21
myrotvorets.center/criminal/?cf%5Bname%5D=%D0%AE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%8F+%D0%A1%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B9%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0&cf%5Bcountry%5D=&cf%5Baddress%5D=&cf%5Bphone%5D=&cf%5Bdesc%5D=

Comedy Woman added to Mirotvorez
03.04.2017 08:35
myrotvorets.center/977489-centr-mirotvorec-blagodarit-a-shariya-za-bditelnost-i-pomoshh-v-napolnenii-chistilishha/

All is clean. Questions?

Obviously
Obviously
7 years ago

Russia was waiting till the very last moment to announce their singer. Knowing perfectly well she has a travel ban to the Ukraine and that it’ll be too late for a change.
Political provocation is all that is. Bye Russia!

Hada
Hada
7 years ago

That was obvious from the get go.

RNRS
RNRS
7 years ago

“The refusal of the Channel One (Russia) to broadcast Eurovision proves that despite the declared respect for the fundamental values of Eurovision, the key ones being mutual respect and political neutrality, the Russian side’s goal was always not to participate in the contest, but to create a negative atmosphere around the preparation and organization of the event.” How on earth can they say that Russia violated ‘the fundamental values of Eurovision’? ‘Mutual respect and political neutrality’ It’s actually hilarious. They ban a singer for 3 years and say that Russia tries to politicize Eurovision. Hahaha, Ukraine really needs to pull… Read more »

RNRS
RNRS
7 years ago

@quentin: Actually jury wanted Australia to win, while audience (which counts more as a Europe, like you said) wanted Russia to win.

Luz
Luz
7 years ago

While both countries should be ashamed on themselves for their behaviors, Russia at more fault. They have been kicking, screaming and threatening since Ukraine won last year. They had bad intentions since day one related to this year’s competition. Why should Ukraine take the high road? Why couldn’t Russia do that and accept one of the propoals presented to them. Russia gets to tell everyone what do to but no one can tell the “all mighty” Russia what to do. Sorry Russia, you don’t rule the world! They knew exactly what they were doing and this time they lost! They… Read more »

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

Well, you should’ve avoided the negative atmosphere by letting her in without complaining. Everyone should take their blame, especially EBU.

Jake
Jake
7 years ago

Ukraine: Russia is trying to poison the atmosphere.
Ukraine – poisons the atmosphere (by banning Russia) –
Russia was trying to get Ukraine to ban a sympathetic figure. Ukraine went along with that plan. Ukraine could have simply turned a blind eye to Julia Samoylova’s visit to Crimea until after the song contest. Instead, they see follow along with Russia’s plan to make Ukraine look bad!

Hunkary
Hunkary
7 years ago

@Vanuatu Speak for yourself. I for one love Ukraine and support their decision.

Idan
Idan
7 years ago

Im also agree, from the begining Russia intention was never to compete in Kyev.
Im not to upset, The russian fiasco is over..

Colin
Colin
7 years ago

The whole story is quite sad, but it’s obvious that both countries wanted the other one humiliated and for the public to be completely on their side.

Adam
Adam
7 years ago

@Justita: Russia doesn’t need Ukraine to be discredited.

Adam
Adam
7 years ago

@Daan: What exactly was so mysterious about Ukraine’s win? It’s very very clear: she had the most combined points out of all the countries last year, giving her the win. If you wanna ask why people voted for her, then you need to look up the definition of “personal taste” and “subjectivity”. They didn’t do everything they could to ban Russia. They can’t simply ban a country, stop playing the victim. They banned *Julia*, which they have every right to do. Whether or not the law is fair is a different and irrelevant story at this point. But all that… Read more »

Justitia
Justitia
7 years ago

Shame on Ukraine!!
This country uses Eurovision to discredit Russia.

KuhKatz
KuhKatz
7 years ago

I don’t go for either side, but it was so obvious from the start that Russia wanted to provoke from start to the end, and after all, I believe that Julia was informed about this. But I also believe that Ukraine isn’t innocent at all, they also kept provoking since last year.

Serg
Serg
7 years ago

Yeah, sure – Russians are always bad guys and Ukraine democracy just provides same laws for everyone, right? And of cource you proposed to choose another candidate but Russians are so bad they disagree… Oh, just one thing you forget to mention for some reason – you actualy don’t give a *** for your Laws when it comes to someones money and benefits: most recent example – Comedy Woman Russia show – they gave multiple conerts in Crimea in 2016, they are mostly Russian citizens, they even sing songs about Putin beeing awesome and yet – the just gave a… Read more »

Vanuatu
Vanuatu
7 years ago

Ukraine, cry alone.
We dont care anymore about you, and we wont miss you in ESC from 2018 and beyond. “Tumbai” to you.

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

I agree. It’s very obvious that Russia’s goal was to create a negative atmosphere and humiliate Ukraine.

Sam
Sam
7 years ago

I agree with the broadcaster’s statement completely.

Don't be naive
Don't be naive
7 years ago

I agree with the Ukrainian broadcaster. Russia did this on purpose, they knew Ukranian law. And this was to create a bad environment not only with Ukraine but also between european countries. Russia, politically speaking, is preparing for war and if they can divide the european countries, better for them. And they will use everything, including a song contest, to do that. I don’t think they care about the contest at all, they are using it for other purposes.

Nordic
Nordic
7 years ago

I’m surprised people still blindly side with Russia. There’s no point in discussing the matter. Brainwashed morons on both sides.

quentin
quentin
7 years ago

@Daan
[ to politicize the contest back in 2016 with that horrible song.You should have been Disqualified for that. But nope, you somehow mysteriously win ]

Jamala won because Europe wanted that, good or bad…Europe did it.

Mop
Mop
7 years ago

I just think Russia is playing the long game to win Eurovision 2018

Daan
Daan
7 years ago

No Ukraine, YOUR goal was to politicize the contest back in 2016 with that horrible song.You should have been Disqualified for that. But nope, you somehow mysteriously win and then immediatly try everything you can to ban Russia? Go home and stay home Ukraine, have fun with your ban for the next few years :^)