The drama hasn’t ended, folks. Following Ukraine’s decision to withdraw from the competition in Tel Aviv, Ukrainian Eurovision alum and winner in 2004 Ruslana has waded in on the debate.
Unlike the majority of fans who welcomed Ukraine’s withdrawal, Ruslana would still like to see Ukraine send an entry to Tel Aviv. Take a look at her statement, which she posted on her official Instagram page.
Ruslana on Instagram: Ukraine’s withdrawal from Eurovision
“I am categorically against the decision for Ukraine to refuse to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019! If the widespread information that this year Ukraine refuses to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest is final, then for me it is definitely very painful news. In the year when I participated, Ukraine was also on the verge of refusing to participate if I did not decide to participate. In 2004, there was a closed national selection, and two of the three applicants declined the offer of the National Television Company to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest.
“I immediately accepted this suggestion without much thought.
“It is difficult to find an explanation for the refusal to participate in an event of this level. For the artist, there may be factors. For the organizer, there simply isn’t, except for a straightforward force majeure. What can we say about it? What message are we giving to the world? What don’t we have to bring to the world stage? But this is not true! We have a lot of talented artists, young, undiscovered or known only by their Ukrainian names that are definitely worthy of representing the country at the Eurovision Song Contest.
“I personally do not like the decision.I am categorically against the decision for Ukraine to refuse to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019! I am sure that if Ukraine, or more precisely, whoever is responsible for this decision, wants to find a solution, it will be found. Refusal is a step backwards. But we have to go forward only. All these years, Ukraine has declared on the international arena that we are a young and progressive country. We can not refuse Eurovision. We must look for a solution and give opportunities to the young talents of Ukraine.
“I believe that it is worth developing a new, let’s say anti-crisis, procedure for one more selection, let’s give Ukraine the opportunity for a second chance. Find resources, time, other possibilities for re-selection, or work out an alternative procedure, but to properly present Ukraine in the competition – for me it’s a question not about a contest, but the face of the country.”
Ruslana’s perspective is an interesting one. Like many fans, she shares the disappointment of missed opportunity for Ukraine and its musicians.
However she hasn’t given much detail about her thoughts on the treatment of Maruv herself, and whether she would have signed that infamous contract.
What do you think? Do you agree with Ruslana? Let us know in the comments section!
Maruv should go. EVERYONE would love her to. Screw UA:PBC, they have no business with her, she won.
Isn’t everyone disappointed Ukraine won’t be participating?
Ruslana did not comment about the treatment, restrictions & financial penalties inflicted on the artists. She spent a lot of time, not saying much.
Her statement sounds like: let’s say something without saying anything…
Anti-Crisis Bom!
Wiwi, please, leave us alone. Stop collecting all these rumors and statements about Vidbir. Do not pour salt into open wounds. They already hurt without daily reminders.
Ukraine theme must be closed this year. Period.
She did not need to mention anything about Maruv. Thee issue is all about UA:PBC’s poor decision making skills as they can’t balance politics, the contest and their artists well.
Are we gonna write now about statements of every former star who wants piece of spotlight over this mess?
Ukraine, learn how to behave first and to treat your rightful winnners with dignity and respect. Until then, take a seat, zip it, and leave the rest if us alone. Out is out.
Ruslana should have never won with that shouty song, neither Jamala.
We are fed up with Ukraine mixing politics and Eurovision. Sorrynotsorry.
They should stay away like Turkey did, until they are willing to play fair and learn what Eurovision is about! Some examples:
#buildingbridges
#feelyourheartbeat
#cometogether
#daretodream
Btw “Lane Moje” was a real MASTERPIECE that deserved to win in 2004, not her noisy mess.
Best from Spain
I agree with every point you make. Have an upvote.
My inner child will love her forever, because Sertab Erener and Ruslana were my first ESC favourites and I’m weak. But I disagree: it’s too late. Maruv was the rightful winner and UA:PBC made a mess with the whole NF. To make another selection it would be a huge lack of respect to her, to fans and to everyone involved. It’s sad to see Ukraine out, I love Ukrainian music and all my love started with Ruslana when I was a child, but, as I said, it’s too late to change what happened. Maruv isn’t interested anymore (and I support… Read more »
better for you, now you can watch kitschy Lazarev-Kirkorov’s performance again
Miguel, preach! Zeljko real winner <3
She would never win today with her cringe lyrics and screaming .
Lol you can hate her all you want but Ruslana is an entertainer. She’s Eurovision material. She brought a song with rhythms not heard before (just look at people awkwardly trying to dance on that tune) and boy did she bring it on stage!
I loved Lane Moje too, but as far as Eurovision is concerned she stole this victory from
no one.
if the same contract is used in upcoming years, Ukraine will turn into Moldova and San Marino where artists have to be either rich or get a sugar daddy like Siegel,Serhat,Kirkorov, or the Persson twin sisters from Sweden. They just cheapen the contest
We all know Ruslana is an Ukrainian nationalist. She was highly involved in the Orange Revolution so its no wonder she’s siding with the broadcaster. I bet if she had to sing the same contract back in 2004 she wouldn’t have. It’s too expensive without funding from the broadcaster.
You make it sound like being politically active is a bad thing. Lol.
I thought she was saying the opposite
Well, Ruslana, you go girl. Try to get some sense into maruv and UA:PBC now. She’s obviously vexed, and they seem to be happy with withdrawal (or else they wouldn’t do it so quick). And no other option than Maruv is an option…
She’s pointing out how quick UA:PBC was to withdraw after the set back of the national final’s artists refusals to take part. In a matter of few days Ukraine went from strong favorite to withdrawing. Doesn’t sound like there was ponderated thought behind it. There was no rush for the broadcaster to make Maruv sign the contract within 48h or to withdraw within 48h afterwards. There was and is much more time till EBU deadline for song submission.
what a lunatic
The shady lady is Ani Lorak no Ruslana ?
Ruslana is being pretty shady right now, so it’s appropriate.
Ukraine, just sit down and shut up and come back next year after you’ve learned how to behave and respect your rightful winners.
Out is out. Now GTFO and leave the rest of us alone.
It’s reference for Ruslana being shady, of course there’s only one wonderful shady lady, who they ignore, shame
Strikes me that the Ukrainian broadcaster wanted to profit from Maruv’s song, and all this talk about politics is merely a distraction.
Maruv herself indicated that her touring in Russia was NOT a point of contention in the negotiations, but rather there were issues regarding the rights to the song.
Regardless, no second national selection will be successful if the broadcaster demands profits from the artist.
What profit are you talking about? Words about she was ready to cancel touring in Russia are just her words. She wasn’t ready to do this and blamed UA:PBC that they demanded her to follow EBU rules.
Words of Zurab Alasania, head of UA:PBC – “We failed because of insufficient funding”.
That is not true, because they asked other singers to replace Maruv, so it means they have money.
UA rules were not EBU rules. Each broadcaster has a freedom to add their own rules, but this year Ukranian contract was too rigorous and different from previous years. She didn’t have freedom to talk to press or stage her performance, had to appear on private parties etc such ban wasn’t in place last year.
I understand Ruslana but Europe doesn’t want Ukraine to take part in this edition anymore. It’s Maruv or nothing! It was the democratic choice. They regused it… then they can get away and come back in 2020. Oh wait, 2021. Sergey will eat all the others contestants…
Sergey what? Russia still hasn’t released the song!
He should have won in 2016 as well, they said, right!? ??
It was sarcastic, 6 people just didn’t get it xac
My comment was a bit ironic too :’) I’m not a Sergey lover, I don’t want him to win. I just wanted to make fun of this sad situation with Ukraine. But still I think it’s really possible for Russia to win this year. Low level, no Ukraine so the votes of the neighbours will be more focused on Russia and last but not least, Sergey comes back because he absolutely wants to win.
ESC 2019 is over for Ukraine, no doubt about it. And if they get a solution and bring someone in, the artist will get lots of boos in Tel Aviv, we all know the crowd.
I agree that Ukraine shouldn’t pull out. I disagree with Ruslana’s solution, though – a second national final is not the answer. The proper solution is to waive that silly contract, and let Maruv participate on fair terms. It’s not like there is some dramatic crisis that can not be overcome, it just takes the broadcaster to be reasonable.
This would be so amazing! But Maruv has confirmed in an interview that she does not want to go to Eurovision this edition anymore, even if she does not have to sign that stupid contract. What is very heartbreaking.
It makes sense, can you imagine she would have to deal with same people who caused all this mess for next three months. It would be more bitter than sweet experience. They don’t deserve her.
The damage has been done. Like losing your appetite after witnessing something unbearable while eating your dinner.
Like cockroach in food 🙂
I disagree with Ruslana. Between lines you can see that she blames Maruv for not accepting those awful condition. As long Ukraine puts politics before music we don’t need them at Eurovision. If they really wanted to be at Eurovision it is very simple solution, to let Maruv sign old conditions as previous years and let her have full freedom regarding performance and press. It would be wrong to send anyone else. I wonder is Ruslana going to put herself forward as candidate.
I’m not sure it’s fair to assess that she blames Maruv. She says that for there may be factors for the artist, but not the organizers. That doesn’t sound like she’s blaming Maruv.
She’s saying that artists might have individual reasons to refuse, but the broadcaster should have 0 reason to refuse to participate. What she was saying about artists refusing to participate is that with how many young artists are in the country, it would be crazy for all of them to say no
Anyone else squee a little at the Svetlana Loboda reference? 😀
Oh the “anti-crisis” bit, yessss!
Hahahaha yes I thought about it too xD
Yap, and it’s quite ironic, as Svetlana is currently spending more time in Moscow than in Kiev 🙂 She is a true megastar in all CIS countries.
Good advice. We have a lot of artists, and if even Vidbir winner prefer to make fool of others for own PR, we still can send Ukrainian language song to represent own culture.
It wasn’t Maruv fault at all. Why she would allowed such terms when it was not asked any previous representative. All fault lies with broadcaster who puts politics before music.
Broadcaster puts its money before music, not politics. Politics is just a vail.
They didn’t have problems with money even though they asked Maruv to pay all by herself.
every representative in previous years was asked about it
dont you get tired defending something which is tragic? stop trying and do something else dear ukrainian wilhelm
esc1234; I thought you Maruv supporters were for freedom of speech. So why do you try to stop Wilhelms right to utter his opinion? That is not ok. You’ve shown Your true color
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. Ma petite chienne
looks like you are talking with mirror
I see beauty in the mirror, you see a wasteland in yours honey
Lady Gagarina; I thought you Maruv supporters were for freedom of speech. So why do you trash people who have other oppinions than you. You have shown your true color.
Giving him his own medicine