Ukraine has withdrawn from Eurovision 2019. National broadcaster UA:PBC issued the following statement on Wednesday evening.
“The winner of the national selection for this yearâs Eurovision was the singer MARUV, which the Public Broadcaster, as it does this annually, offered to conclude an agreement to represent Ukraine at the song contest. However, after negotiations, MARUV refused to sign the agreement.
Therefore, in the situation of non-signing of the agreement on participation in the Eurovision with the winner of the TV and radio company turns to the finalists who took the second and third place by the results of the National Selection. Freedom Jazz and Kazka also refused to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest-2019.
The song contest is an opportunity for every country to declare itself in the international arena, and for each performer to act as the ambassador of their country and win supporters around the world.
But the National Selection-2019 revealed and attracted the attention of our society to the systemic problem of the music industry in Ukraine: the connections of artists from the show business in the territory of the aggressor state, which are still very close at the 5th year of the military conflict. For a part of society, this fact is acceptable, in the other part it causes indignation and rejection.
The laws of Ukraine do not propose any restrictions on the work of performers and artists on the territory of the Russian Federation despite the large public request to resolve this situation.
In the current situation, following the Law on Public Broadcasting, as well as in conditions of excessive politicization of the national selection process, the Public Broadcasting Company decided to refuse to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.”
Ukraine at Eurovision 2019: What happened?
As youâre well aware at this point, MARUV won Ukraineâs Eurovision 2019 selection Vidbir and, in theory, should have been the countryâs candidate for Eurovision. But, owing to some last-minute changes and some ridiculously onerous rules from the broadcaster, sheâs out.
She simply wanted to sing. The broadcaster wanted her to deploy its political slogans and essential become a part of their propaganda machine. NTUâs private broadcast partner STB has responded with a lengthy statement, which makes it clear they do not support the misuse of Vidbir and the contestâs winner.
The drama showed little signs of abating in the days that followed. On Tuesday afternoon, Freedom Jazz, the female vocal trio which placed second behind Maruv, confirmed that they had turned down the opportunity to go to Tel Aviv in her place.
By this morning, third place finishers Kazka announced that they too had rejected an offer. As the day progressed the trickle of “No”s was threatening to become a flood. Shortly before the TV network’s public withdrawl, the fourth placed act Brunettes Shoot Blondes revealed that they did not plan to accept any Eurovision offer.
Taking to Instagram, the band explained:
Friends! Weâve been getting a lot of messages with the question â did the broadcaster come to contact the Brunettes Shoot Blondes today. We want to inform in advance: if we receive a proposal to participate in the Eurovision-2019, we will reject it. Our group did not win in the National election, this trip is not ours. Fans are welcome to understand our decision â weâll have many other places to meet you! We invite everyone to our spring concerts in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic, as well as a solo concert in Kyiv, which will be held on October 4th.
Previous signs of a Ukrainian withdrawal
The signs of a potential Ukrainian withdrawal from Eurovision 2019 have been steadily building over recent days. But, this escalated earlier today when UA:PBC put the power back into the hands of the people, asking whether it’s worth sending a Ukrainian representative to Tel Aviv at all.
In a poll published on their Facebook page, the Ukrainian broadcaster asked: “The first three finalists of the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 will not participate in the music contest. In your opinion, is it worth it at all for Ukraine to send a representative this year to Israel?”
????? ?????? ?????????? ????????????? ??????? ?? ???????? ??????? ???????????-2019 ?? ??????? ?????? ? ?????????…
Posted by UA:?????? on Wednesday, February 27, 2019
The reaction of the fans has been crystal clear in the comments section. No Maruv, no Eurovision. Comments such as “It’s easy… Maruv or Goodbye Ukraine” (Antonio Gmez) and “Siren Song or withdraw” (Yigit Dinar) have been racking up the likes.
Leaving a comment under their post, the broadcaster claimed to be only interested in finding out the opinion of fans. They explained the page has nothing to do with, and cannot influence, the contract drawn between broadcaster and participant.
As at 17:15 GMT, the poll was 37% in favour of sending an act, with 63% of voters preferring that Ukraine doesn’t send an act to Tel Aviv.
What do you think? Are you saddened by the news? Was Ukraine’s withdrawal inevitable? Let us know in the comments.
Additional reporting by Katie Wilson
I hate when politics intervene in Eurovision. I’m sad Ukraine is out though I didn’t like the the winning song. Hope to see them back next year!
I like Padraig. He is so enthusiastic giving bad news!
And now if Russia win 2019? What happened next year????Shame on Ukraine TV who make Eurovision politic game? Russia is not so better!!!
Give what I have read so far (if I read right), it looks as if UA:PBC shot themselves in he foot by not putting the terms of the contract on the table BEFORE THE VIDBIR CONTEST EVEN BEGAN! They should have put the contract on the table before they even selected the participants for the contest! Why did they wait until AFTER the winner was announced to show the contract?
KEiiNO had better be good, or St. Petersburg is going to look good next May.
It’s even not funny anymore: Verka Serduchka can represent Ukraine at ESC-2019…
If EBU will allow this after the official withdrawal I just give up. Please stop this planet, I’ll go out…
It was his joke, he said it on the air of russian TV channel)))) his story in Vidbir has ended anyway
Typical ESC fan in these days: im so so tired of this drama, so tell me all fresh news about it))))
Everyone is so tired of this non-stop Ukrainian drama… Sergey please release your song already…
Even though this is what they deserved after the mess they dragged Maruv into, I’m sad we won’t be seeing Ukraine this year. They are always sending amazing entries every year and the poor musicians and Ukrainian public don’t deserve this! Hopefully they learn their lesson, and can come back next year with their heads screwed on and leaving the politics behind
Good riddance !
I donât care about the song. Maruvâs principle is very admirable though. EBU ought to consider the basic conditions for participating in the contest and not hide behind shallow slogans like this yearâs: âDare to dreamâ. Itâs a joke weâre going to Tel Aviv and Israel. To dream of what? Oppression of other people?
Do you admire that she cannot stop to pleasure on private parties elite of the country, which invaded her “Motherland”?
She wouldn’t have to “pleasure on private parties (for the) elite of the country, which invaded her Motherland” if she can have income locally. Since the Ukrainian music industry is so small/insignificant in size & rife with piracy, how can she earn a living there? If you don’t want artists performing in Russia, then provide them with livelihood in your own country. If artists can’t have income, how do you expect them to create music? With their bones? But how Ukraine provide livelihood when its economy is in tatters anyways
I don’t care about the song. Maruv’s principle is very admirable though. EBU ought to consider the basic conditions for participating in the contest and not hide behind shallow slogans like this year’s: “Dare to dream”. It’s a joke we’re going to Tel Aviv!
Ukrainian broadcaster shown how unproffesional they are yet in 2017. I was so tired of a mess since Jamala’s win and I was so reliefed after it all ended. This time is the same. Good that it’s over. ESC doesn’t need turmoils like this. Anyway, the final of this case is not satisfying.
And who will vote for Ukraine after such mess next years? A sober-minded and wise musician won’t seek any triumph after all this in this contest. Even a mega-popular singer or band wouldn’t do that. So, we will see only second-, third-class artists in upcoming years. Well done, Ukraine. Your participation will be just for show from now forth.
So it’s not going to be Kiev 2020. Yay?
The easiest path forward for Vidbir next year (if it’s coming back that is) is to overhaul the judging panel (keep Yevhen Filatov though, unless he added fuel to the fire as well although he seems to be the quiet one out of the three), and the host. If I were the show’s showrunner, I would simply cut out the Q&A portion completely if it’s not gonna be about constructive feedback ala A Dal. And STB, if it’s gonna continue its partnership with the public broadcaster, will have to stop both the host and the jury from talking politics as… Read more »
Mind your own business. Gotta get food in case of Brexit shortages.
Politics aside, I didn’t like Filatov for telling Maruv that there are artists who worked for days just to come up with a song lyrics that are more worthy than how she came up with Siren Song just for a short day. And the fact that he said that the song was all about the “bang” instead of the whole lyrics of it. Him being misinformed about Maruv’s situation may doom future artists with that kind of critique, that is if there will be another Vidbir soon. Filatov wasn’t aware that Maruv was invited at the last minute and had… Read more »
Also, to add: Serhiy the host was being disrespectful to Khayat and Anna-Maria. There was an article here about Khayat being joked by the host after it was found out that Khayat was beaten up in their metro. Anna-Maria on the other hand felt uncomfortable and on the verge of crying after the host brought up the news about their mother having connections with the Russian government.
I would disagree about the host, he was constantly in the gestapo mode during the event, trying to throw every performer off balance with his ultra patriotic rhetoric.
EBU should give support to Maruv by inviting her to perform in one of the semi finals or at least give the broadcaster a warning.
Damn, who’ll get 12 points from Poland now? xd Don’t be salty please, I’m polish myself.
Sadly, this was the only logical conclusion once the broadcaster had acted so unreasonably and so against the spirit of the contest. Nobody else was going to do something as nakedly self-serving as taking Maruv’s earnt spot.
Well i’m happy. Ukraine had a big chance to win again. In that respect it’s a pitty, but the problems with Rusland have to be soughted out> Too much political drama in Ukraine, they have to grow up!
Given that Germany and other prostitutes are totally bought out by RusslandUberAlles, I donât see any ways out of the situation.
What a brave and courageous act from Freedom Jazz, Kavkaz and Brunettes shoot Blondes to reject that (potential) offer! The ESC should always be about uniting nations, free artistry and freedom of speech. If the ukrainian broadcaster rejects those values, it shouldn’t be given a stage.
Hopefully the EBU now takes the chance to invite Kazakhstan, Kosovo or Liechtenstein.
Off Topic but you are for sure interested: Belgium’s song can be heard on Spotify!
And it sounds amazing! The snippets were a bit missleading. Can’t wait to hear it again at 8 am on radio MNM!
Could MARUV perform as a special guest? Be a SLAP IN THE FACE to the Ukranian Broadcaster.
Verka is going there so there’s that, sort of.
Haha well done Ukrain. BANG !!!
Ukraine will be missed! As it looks now Eurovision 2019 is a bunch of miserable songs, even a few with political (correct) undertones..
Maruv would have won.
Thanks god!!! better without Them,
Israel should at least ask Maruv to do a interval act!
better for hosting country to present own culture, then to troll other countries
Get over it. She has nothing to do in an interval act. This is Israels day.
Well….. who saw this coming after Semi Final 1 on 9th February? So sad for MARUV and hope Ukraine will clean up this political mess next year.
Also after the contest in May, William and Deban have to put this in their top crimes.
Along with another crime that they committed perhaps?
If love was a crime, then we would be criminals.
Don’t remind me about Bulgaria, I’m still sad for their withdrawn
An interesting note is that the official eurovision account still follows maruv on Instagram.
Nice thing to do, yknow?
Seems absolutely reasonable.
Wouldnât be too cute if they suddenly unfollowed. âWell if she ainât coming to the party, I ainât following her on Instaâ
Come on, Turkey! Fill the openning.Most of the songs sucks so far, we could wi if we just return
You kind of returned with San Marino, didn’t you? đ
Serhat is the closest thing we’ve got to Turkey returning. Maybe that’s why Azerbaijan likes him so much.
We are a bigger mess than Ukraine at the moment. I think Bulgaria, Bosnia or Slovakia should return. We will return when we return to democracy, if we ever.
It’s very sad for MARUV and the Ukrainian fans, who didn’t deserve at all this outcome, but it was necessary. At least it sends a message to any country that may think of doing something like UA:PBC did.
dont you just love this troll “wilhelm” who tries to convince us that this contract offered to maruv was standard while melovin said that his contract didnt have any kind of this terms? Seriously, The broadcaster and Jamala with her despicable behavior are harmfull for the contest. Sashay away and come back only when you realise that this is a SONG contest, not controvercy contest
You called, and I’m here.
I dont try to convince you about the contract, I mostly try to convince you that you don’t understand our internal issues and better for you to stay away from our selection process… why you all voted in our poll about participation? I see mostly English comments there.
F….k you disgusting ragul neonaci sh….t!
Mind your language.
Said a Russian troll from a truly fascist state
You, Wilhelm, get f….g out of my Ukraine!!! Get out! It’s because of such disgusting, terrible, xenofobic, neonaci idiots like you we have this problem. This terrible shame in Europe. Get f…g out!!!!!
Since when St.Petersburg’s Savushkina 33 has become part of Ukraine lol
I ty tezh pyzduj von z mojeji krajiny razom z vonjakom dybilom kyrylenkom! Dykuny vonjuchi!
I’m Lithuanian, you Russian idiot
In Lithuania are many idiots, as in Ukraine.
Most of useful idiots live in Western Pristitute Europe, would be great to see Putinâs tanks rolling along Paris or Berlin
Ah there you are. I did not HEAR you there (but I guess it’s mostly gibberish noise that you create). Wait, what’s the correct phrase in Anglaise? Ah yes, I did not SEE you there, mainly because your commentary is like your whole existence: irrelevant & totally unnecessary. Mon petit cochon
It freaks me out, some people comments about political situation in Ukraine. I don’t comment on Brexit, for example, simply because I don’t live in the UK and I know little about it.
Artists in the UKâs âEurovision: You Decideâ contest were not asked how they felt about Brexit on the show (unless I missed something). They were only given musical and performance-related feedback.
However, contestants on Ukraineâs Vidbir contest were effectively questioned about their politics. Hence, the difference in attitudes from the ESC fandom.
But you are correct in principal; ESC fans should not be discussing politics at all, in an ideal world.
As usual, Purple puts it spot on! Imagine the scandal if these were the question in You Decide:
– ”Michael, Nothern Ireland, is that Britain or?”
– ”Kerrie-Anne, if you win, are you ready to cancel all of your tours in France?”
– ”Jordan, your cousin openly supports Tories. Are you ready to give him up to win?”
That would be scandalous and this in Ukraine is as well. The freedom of thought should live on in a music contest.
The huge difference, guys, is that your countries are not at war. And you would never understand this until you would live through it.
Spot on!
Mil, I can only imagine what it’s like to be Ukrainian right now. I think Eurofans’ frustration with Ukraine rests in the following: –The official statement from UA:PBC said, “The current situation surrounding the nation-wide election this year has signs of politicization.” Yet they were the ones who politicized the final by asking the political questions! You can’t claim to be putting out the fire if you’re stoking the flames. –The contract they tried to have MARUV sign was overly restrictive. Artistically, she was constrained by what she could and could not do on the Eurovision stage. And professionally, forbidding… Read more »
If the UK were at war with a neighbouring countryâs leadership, I would hope that the Eurovision Song Contest would not be a priority. The war would come first, and obviously the BBC would have to pull out of the contest. The same obviously did not apply to the Northern Irish separatist situation in the 1970s and 80s, which is an obvious grey area for the UK and the BBC. Sending a Northern Irish singer (Clodagh Rodgers) to Dublin in 1971 was a particularly challenging time for the contest. But in the end, music won out over politics at the… Read more »
Well, technically, Britain is in the midst of a war within itself and the likelihood of another bloody sectarian conflict looms large over the question of Northern Ireland.
Itâs not looking good, granted. However, the âGood Fridayâ agreement (or whatever people want to call it) is still an historic beacon of hope for Northern Ireland, if nothing else. As for the rest of the UK tearing itself apart: Yes, this is happening. It is real, and it is very bad. There needs to be a consensus on Brexit in order for it to work effectively, and itâs just not there at all. This is why I would rather talk about music and lyrics and creativity, especially now.
The likelihood of sectarian conflict in NI is very low. No one wants renewed conflict. Peace has brought a lot of prosperity. People want jobs, stability, and to look after their family â these are things all people want.
The irony is that Britainâs Brexit is being unravelled by the British-made border in Ireland. Brexit has actually helped to make it more clear that the people of Ireland do not need this foreign border.
I wouldn’t call it “very low”. Yes, the ordinary citizen on the street would hate to see a return to violence – but fanatic terror groups are not ordinary citizens. There was already a car bomb not so long ago (thankfully nobody died)…peace really does rest on a thread, not that the MPs in Westminster or the Brexit-voting public care less about that.
How about this: “Brexit – Should it be continued or not?”
What UA:PBC has done is an INFRINGEMENT of freedom of speech. End of discussion
Chess. But you know that freedom of speech often suffers during times of war. Not only in Ukrain. It would be same in your country and mine.
”But you know that freedom of speech often suffers during times of war” That is the best reason why countries at war maybe shouldn’t be a part of an international contest unless they learn to put their differences aside. Actually, my country WAS in a war during the 90s and as I know, never did anything alike this to it’s contestants or audience. I might just be that the Ukrainian broadcasters are primitives. Croatia and Serbia (and Bosnia & Herzegovina) were in a war from 1991 to 1995. There were MANY atrocities committed on all sides. When Serbia returned to… Read more »
Mil You’re right, I can’t imagine because I’m living in peaceful Norway. I think we should respect and try to understand why this is such an emotional topic for Ukraine. Let them make their own decisions.
I understand, everyone seems to be experts on Ukrainian politics.
It’s a shame but it was the only wise option
I love you Ukraine but I’m sorry, I don’t want you this year, not like that
Maruv is the symbol of Eurovision by wanting to perform and represent her country as an artist and not a political toy of the broadcaster and government
I wish Maruv all the best in her career, lots of love for the finalists who refused to participate and I wish for a better Ukraine in the contest
they wanted to avoid controversy and they created the biggest controversy possible. in 2017 ebu remained silent, and so they did this year. They better stay out for many years untill they can participate without involving politics
Goodbye. Close the door. Even if everyone know what happened they are still keeping their position. Like they aren’t guilty and blaming MARUV for not reaching an agreement…
I feel sorry for the Ukrainian people, especially those who voted for MARUV. Ukraine will be missed this year, especially considering they would have scored so high.
Jamala should be ashamed of herself acting like the big inquisition. Her and her team politicised ESC 2016 and she tried to do it again her high and mighty routine wonât work. She is nothing but a hypocrite.
I welcome Ukraine back in 2020, if they are ready to take their place on the international stage in fair and healthy competition. I fear they will not yet be ready for it though.
I’m sad for Ukraine and Maruv, but on the other hand Semi final 1 is full of overlooked mostly non-qualifyers like Slovenia, San Marino, GEO, POL, CZ, Belarus, Monte., ICE, Portugal. So Ukraine’s spot will at least go to one of these countries, which is good.
I’m sad for Ukraine and Maruv, but on the other hand Semi final 1 is full of overlooked mostly non-qualifyers like Slovenia, San Marino, Georgia, Poland, Czechia, Belarus, Montenegro, Iceland, Portugal. So Ukraine’s spot will at least go to one of these countries, which is good.
I think next our next drama will be performed after Lazarev’s victory: how many countries will boycott ESC. I hope at least 5.
I love Sergey but not while Kirkorov is working behind the scenes. The song will be awful and outdated, and undeservingly will score high. Top 5.
Sergey Lazarev is too good to be working with Kirkorov.
Nahh, russia 2009 had like 40 participants.
poor ukrainian, the only country who wont participate next year is ukraine.
You are very wrong, Georgia still hasnt diplomatic relations with russia like in 2009 + I hope Baltic countries will join since russia always threaten them.
Oh…Do you want Politicvision again? When will you remember it’s SONG contest? And after not boycoting Israel it will be such hypocricity.
P.s. Russia will be a great host, but I hope we won’t win. Go Italy, Greece or Portugal (or Norway with Morland?)
I do not want Politivision, but a boycott will inevitably happen. Min. 2 countries, I hope – 5 or 6
Lithuania is likely to withdraw in case of Russiaâs victory
Sad to say, Wilhelm is true, considering Russia’s status quo.
dancing ukraina tumbai
I don’t know why but this just angers me even more!
Wouldn’t it have been better to let MARUV participate and allow her to perform in Russia as well? Surely she would have agreed to promote peaceful relations or at least a truce between the two countries.
Anything would be better than this rubbish!
You compare the conflict in Eastern Ukraine with the second world war? You must be a troll
its war, not “conflict” 13000+ people died, do you have a conscience at all?
Israel’s islamic next door neighbour should be invited to preform in Eurovision to âpromote peaceful relations or at least a truce between the two countriesâ. If its hard to understand I’m extremely sarcastic…
If I recall correctly MARUV had already stated her intentions to perform at concerts in Russia. Would it not have been a better opportunity to promote some form of truce between the two countries?
I don’t get the WWII reference in your comment as it makes no sense.
I found this comment so so funny. This girl will promote peace with 3 minute long sexy song? Moreover, she said that she doesn’t want to promote any political ideas. So what not to get here? Honestly, I can’t wait for Siren Song to solve 5 year old war conflict. Can she sing more songs in Middle East?
She’s going to perform in Tel Aviv next month
Europe has quickly forgotten its appeasement in 1938. Now they’re doing the same with Putler. When they suffer from Russian interference I won’t be sympathetic
I’m happy and sad. Glad that Ukraine’s broadcasters are not getting their way and have humiliated themselves, but sad that l will not be seeing MARUV on stage at Tel Aviv. Such amazing and unique performance. I wish she could participate as an Independent candidate. 12 points to MARUV
She will anyway come to Tel Aviv but to a bar concert on March 29th in the Fashion Bar
bye, please sergey win to not see them in 2020 too
People who say that Ukraine should be band from Eurovision for a decade or even 2020 are delusional. You think that being band from Eurovision is such big loss? It’s just a singing contest that demands money and attention. The viewers and Ukrainian artists are the only people who gonna suffer. Ukraine should not participate in Eurovision on her own free will until she can deal with her problems.
For Eastern countries is more than a music contest. It is also a chance for these countries to soo how develope they are and to promote the country in a good way. For Ukraine it is even more important given their intentions of entering the European Union. Do you think this mess is a good publicity for Ukraine and the EU?
Wake up, Hector. Ukraine probably won’t apply to EU for decades. Discussion about closer relations to EU started this mess at the first place. Ukraine is extremely divided country. While some people want to be apart of EU, other likes Russia. So looking at the big picture Eurovision looks like really not a big deal. Can you promote country “in a good way” with a sexy performance while part of the country is at war?
it’s so obvious that russia has something to do with this. they have threatened UKRAINE to give up so they could win. wake up fools. the truth will come out soon…
there are +40 countries in the competition, it’s not forever & always about Russia vs Ukraine.
And most countries have been sending their worst songs for a reason.WAKE UP. SO TIRED OF RUSSIA!!!!!!
“Russian did it”. Nothing new. For anything happens in a World.
Ha, ha. You are joking, right?
This sucks, politicization is unfortunate and badly managed. However, I would ask journalist to please abstain from sensationalist reporting in already heated issue. I refer to “The broadcaster wanted her to deploy its political slogans and essential become a part of their propaganda machine. ” The only clause in the contract that was new and controversial is agreement to not have concerts in Russia within 3 months. The rationale of this can be debated and is the main point of a disagreement. All other conditions in the contract were standard, despite Maruv’s instagram post describing it as extortionist. These are… Read more »
Agree, and what surprised me most is that sentence was written by a person who knows almost nothing about the situation in Ukraine. Because if Padraig had watched the UA:PBC channel he would be ashamed to call it a part of “propaganda machine”. Not to say that currently there is no “propaganda machine” here.
This is deeply upsetting and could’ve all been avoided if the broadcaster had just let MARUV participate. That said, EBU please invite Kazakhstan now. We have a free spot now.
we paid for this spot, so it’s still not property of Kazakhstan
True, but Kazakhstan should be invited to participate regardless.
I’m for the US to participate, invite them)
I recall a very bright man once said:
Euro neuro I donât like snobism
Nationalism, puritanism, I am different organism
My heroism is pacifism, altruism, I enjoy bicyclism
Liberalism, tourism, nudism, optimism
It is good for rheumatism
Said bright man also said: âI only got one rule, always stay cool like a swimming pool.â đ
Hopefully Ukraine will compete at Junior Eurovision 2019 and Eurovision Song Contest 2020. đ
Why everybody hates broadcaster and Ukrainian politicians, but show support for “Ukrainians”?
our broadcaster and politicians represent our country, don’t politicize ESC by hating them
I read all your comments, including this one, and I actually feel sad for you…
Im so happy that you read all my comments, thank you!
Of course I did, they are fascinating! And not in a good way… Again, so sad….
thank you, you are my only fan
You don’t get it… That doesn’t surprise me, it’s ok
your iq levels are so low that i wanna cry
Wilhelm, you are sad.
I’m so upset my country would do this đ I’m so sick of the politics! I don’t blame Jamala because it seemed like she was trying to clarify MARUV’s loyalty to Ukraine. Sure she was aggressive, but that’s just Jamala’s personality. I wish UA:PBC was more willing to negotiate with MARUV.