Earlier today the head of Ukraine’s state broadcaster UA:PBC called on the European Broadcasting Union to revoke the membership of the Russian broadcasters and to exclude the country from Eurovision 2022.
Well now the EBU has responded. In a statement sent to Göteborgs-Posten, officials said that artists from Russia are welcome in the contest. That’s despite international condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its flagrant violations of international law.
The EBU said: “The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political cultural event which unites nations and celebrates diversity through music.”
“EBU members in both Russia and Ukraine have committed to participating in this year’s event in Turin and we are currently planning to welcome artists from both countries to perform in May.”
“We of course will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
The head of Sweden’s state broadcaster SVT has condemned the EBU’s decision, as you can read on the SVT web site.
“The EBU needs to rethink this,” SVT’s CEO Hanna Stjärne said in a statement. “I sympathize with the basic idea of Eurovision as an apolitical event. But the situation in Europe is extremely serious with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It crosses all boundaries. We have called on the EBU to change course and will follow the development closely.”
Now EBU has said that Russia won’t compete in ESC this year!
Honestly… the bone of contention is hardly new. Either they finally agree to include respect for the Rule of Law as a condition to be a member, or this will continue to happen every few years. If I recall correctly, some Nordic countries called for this back in 2011-2012 (of course, a very backhanded way of reacting to the East consistently scoring better). I am not saying that this is attainable or realistic, I am just saying that this is the right thing to do if you really want to say “music first” with a clear conscience, and we should… Read more »
I understand wanting to keep the competition apolitical, to unite countries, but it would just be inappropriate to have viewers able to vote for Russia at this time. They really must expel them from the contest.
Shameful EBU’s decision. The children who died were neither politicians nor soldiers. We should boycott SUCH Eurovision, no matter how much we love this competition.
EBU, what do you have to say about the ongoing situation?
EBU: Thunder and lightning it’s getting exciting ?
If EBU doesn’t exclude Russia from the competition, I will boycott all the shows and hope millions will do like me. We can also switch off our TVs or close YouTube during Russia ‘s song.
Finland’s Yle just announced that Finland will not participate ESC22 if Russia is allowed to compete.
ALL OTHER COUNTRIES SHOULD BOYCOTT THE EURIVISHION IF EBU DONT EXPELL RUSSIA
All participant countries should unite to persuade ebu to suspend Russia this year
I understand that this is a really hard decision to make; they don’t want to transform Eurovision into a political contest, and i could stand by that choice. Anyway, we have to get that no matter what decision they will make that decision is a “political” one in these days.
Oh how it’s easy to ban small Belarus but knees start to tremble when you have to sanction Russia. EBU cowards.
Although in a way I want Russia to perform to feel the isolation and the hostility they deserve.
Totally agree! Don’t allow them to do anything. Nevermind politics …. humanity … freeworld!!!
That’s pathetic. Where were all of you when Azerbaijan attacked all civilian-inhabited areas where Armenians lived in Nagorno-Karabakh? You didn’t want Azerbaijan to be disqualified. You all literally were dancing to “Mata Hari”. A typical example of European double standard.
I hear you, but the important difference is that Nagorno-Karabakh, in strictly UN-official-political terms, is still located within Azerbaijan. So the international community regards it as an internal or “domestic issue“. Ukraine, meanwhile, is a sovereign UN-recognised nation.
In 2009, Russia was in armed conflict with Georgia over South Ossetia. You might remember Russia actually got to host the competition that same year. South Ossetia might not be a sovereign nation, but Georgia is. Hence, I think that situation is actually more comparable to the current one.
Let’s not forget that everyone was living for Efenbit*h even though she is Azerbaijan president’s puppet and been calling for genocide over Armenians. Croatia is on Armenia’s side!
Whose side? There are not winners in war
It was not war. It was one sided agression last year.
shame
Azerbaijan never invaded its neighbors’ territories, Azerbaijan’s territories were invaded instead (Check UN resolutions about Nagorno Karabakh).
Go Sweden! For the first time in my passion for ESC I definitely stand with Sweden! I hope their political power is strong enough to stand firmly with the push on EBU. Russia has to be kicked out of this ESC, if not from EBU. Also, the Champions Cup final will be moved away from. St. Petersburg.
If they allow Russia in ESC everybody should boycott it!!!
Don’t allow Russia to do anything!!
Putin (Hitler)
As a Eurovision fan who graduated from International Studies and have always wanted to make a thesis about pop culture’s role in International Relations (but can’t because it’s a group thesis), I think banning Russia from the competition is a step in the right direction. I mean, if Russia stays in Eurovision and uses it as a soft power tool to clean their image, they can sweep the invasion of Ukraine under the rug while they sing songs about peace and distract the European viewing public away from it. If that was taken away, they can’t exactly do just that… Read more »
I agree with you 150%. Hopefully there is some thoughtful human being out there.
Probably Russian TV at war will not be able to select their entry. So we sing past Russian entries like million voices , what if ,UNO instead of Russians and stop war.
Sure EBU ban Belarus because of a political song, but starting a war? Not enough reason to ban Russia. Disgusting
Russia is plummeting in the odds at the moment because of everything going on. They’re even below Bulgaria, San Marino and the UK! Whether or not Russia participates, I can’t see them winning Eurovision this year even with a great song.
I also imagine the EBU will not want Ukraine to win Eurovision this year due to the conflict over there.
The last thing Ukraine needs is the responsibility of hosting eurovision. There is no way they would be able to host if they end up in shambles from the war/invasion.
Disgrace!
So they banned Belarus because of political situation in the country but don’t want to ban Russia that started a bloodshed in Ukraine? Money are not worth it, EBU. Let them take a part in the contest but I am telling you, this will be the end of Eurovision.
watch russia show up with a peaceballad maybe sung by Julia Samoylova? they shouldn’t even bother participating this year, the boos will be heard all around Europe
This is ridiculous. The EBU had no problem suspending Belarus for their violations and I dare say starting an actual effing war is much much worse.
In fairness—the EBU suspended Belarus for violations related to public service broadcasting, a core remit of the EBU’s mission.
Even if war and conflict were part of the EBU’s mission, any response would need to be discussed and agreed upon. It’s very early—the Russian Federation formally invaded Ukraine *today*.
EBU should be ashamed of themselves.
EBU you are unbelievable. Although i feel sorry for the Russian people, their should be an immediate Russian disqualification. I personally think Russia should be banned from all sporting, cultural and patriotic competitive events. By allowing them to compete you are basically saying its fine for them to invade another country. This decision must and should be reversed. I would also suggest that other countries should boycott the competition if Russia are allowed to enter. Europe Ukraine and Russia are not united right now so you have no argument there.
Russia Nil Points !!
Rather the EBU 0 points
Denmark’s Radio (DR) and head of the Danish Melodi Grand Prix has joined Sweden in the demand for Russia to be excluded. “At DR, we find it wrong if Russia is to participate in Eurovision, as the situation is now. That is DR’s position. And we will communicate that to the EBU.” – What do you think about the EBU’s statement that Russia should be able to participate because Eurovision is an apolitical event? “We disagree with the EBU’s assessment in this case. Given the very serious situation in Ukraine right now, we find it incompatible with Eurovision’s values that… Read more »
Let’s hope Norway, Iceland, UK and Ireland join this. Unfortunately due to the deep econonomic ties bonding Germany, France, Italy (my country) to Russia, I am quite sure none among them will back this ban request. But the more countries asks for it, the more EBU will be forced to comply. So, dear Eurofans, please flood the social pages of your broadcasters of requests to support the ban.
Ban them for god sake. Ofcours in best of worlds eurovision should not be political, but thats not the case, open your eyes EBU
Oh yes they are absolutely welcome… Nobody will listen to the song anyway, because the booing will be so loud that will be heard all the way to Moscow. I live for the moment that everyone will see how the rest of the world feels about Russia right now
this must be a f..king joke!
Putin: Let’s occupy and denazify Ukraine. And those who want to try to hinder me will face consequences they have never seen before.
EBU: Let’s party and celebrate our cultural differences!
Unfortunately as the situation is turning, we should be worried about a puppet regime being installed in Kyiv. Then legit Ukraine needs all the visibility it can get on every international arena, also at Eurovision. Kalush should consider leaving the country well before the contest to ensure they are present in Turin. Btw, they are catching up with Italy at the odds. Number 2 and shortening.
The question here is : what is the most important for EBU? A show with a large part of bad songs or ukrainian lives???? Shame on you EBU!
Belarus : sends a political song in Eurovision
EBU : Ban Belarus , ”thats so wrong and disrespectful”
Russia : starts an actual war in Europe
EBU : does nothing , ”Everyone is welcome”
EBU get some balls – unbelievable
Belarus was welcome until they sent the propaganda song.. which was against the rules.
As long as Russia’s broadcaster doesn’t break any EBU rules they have no reason to disqualify them.
A Top Ukrainian official condemned the Russian shelling of a hospital amid the ongoing Russian military invasion of Ukraine, calling it “beyond evil.” My god!!!!! EBU!!!! Wake up!!!
A HOSPITAL?! That’s a literal war crime
Petition to Ban Russia from Eurovision. Impose social sanctions. Please Repost
https://chng.it/t7T8f4QZF2
And at end same every past years Russia will send a song about peace, love, friendship, courage and hope :X
Are the Wiwibloggs team also going to condemn the Ukraine invasion in the strongest possible terms?
Do they need to? They’re not politicians. They don’t need to release statements on such things.
What they can also do to help is to stop publishing new material about Russian artists who have supported the attacks. If they could stop doing that for the artists who continued performing in blackface, they can do the same for those endorsing invasion.
who were those artists that supported the attacks?
I won’t name names yet, because I’m not 100% sure, but there are at least two recent Russian entrants who are staying suspiciously silent on the matter. One of them even reportedly liked Tweet supporting their president. If true, that person should never be promoted on Wiwibloggs again.
Polina supported it in public yesterday
If they did then people would accuse this site of being too political. They can’t really win with that.
Shame on the EBU ban Russia
BAN RUSSIA
https://chng.it/WrJ5KbQk74
That’s embarrassing. It’s not political, it’s humanitarian. War has arrived in Europe, don’t promote the instigator.
Many countries will decide not to take part should Russia be allowed to take part. Looking the other way has never been a solution to problems and that also goes for the EBU.
YES BOYCOTT EVERYONE
EBU is so spineless it’s pathetic. My country is banning Russian tv channels today, and these guys can’t pull a country out of the contest. Disgusting.
Agreed. An ultimate hypocrisy from the EBU.
true!
Which country are you from? UK?
EBU being out of touch won’t surprise anybody that follows Eurovision, but that statement is awful even by their own standards. They managed to fail on the very basics of the automatic responses by not even asking for the attacks to stop and call for diplomacy conversations. And the whole “Eurovision is apolitical” is a nonsense, because as Bella pointed below, politics live in our own personal actions and obviously even more in how countries and international institutions react to situations like these. The thing is if the other 39 (or a majority of them) broadcasters unite forces to say… Read more »
When other artists and countries withdraws and the Italian authorities denies the Russian delegation entry to Italy EBU will have no other choice than to ban them. And if Italy imposes a ban on flights from Russia like UK have on Aeroflot, the Russians won’t be able to enter Italy. So I think that EBU knows deep down in their hearts that ESC will be without Russia this year.
Baltic countries worry they could be Russia’s next target.
Attack against Ukraine spurs fears in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which were under Soviet rule for decades.
STOP PUTIN!!!!
They are NATO members, so if Russia attacks them we’ll have WW3 on our hands …
Will that stop him?
Don’t think the fact target nations are under Nato’umbrella will stop him. He is convinced that by having ultrasonic missiles he can deliver a nuclear warhead on any western city without the possibility to be detected and intercepted. USA should rather stop to spend money with unuseful space mission to Moon and Mars and revert the money to develop ASAP the same technology before Putin gets a chance to use his stupid weapons. The guy is crazy. Just watch him on monday evening speech and you will, get a proof of it. The man is definitely paranoid.
In a competition all about love and peace, putting a ban on invading a fellow participant seems like it would be quite in line with those values.
This is not freedom of speech. The EBU bring the contest to shame if they allow this to happen.
She just stated her opinion of what she thinks needs to happen. That is freedom of speech.
I meant what russia is doing is not freedom of speech.
Someone should start a #BoycottEurovision hashtag. That would light a fire under their a*s.
Well. Italy be ready to cut off the audience and put some fake clapping over it. This will get ugly really fast.
Yeah, if Russia isn’t kicked out Im not watching it anymore. Enough is enough. Whole point of Eurovision is bringing together countries AFTER WAR. Now you’re welcoming country that STARTED WAR. This is just pathetic
Despite this initial tone deaf statement from the EBU, I expect this will change and Russia will be be booted once the big 5 (and their money) pile on some pressure. It’s unthinkable that broadcasters like the BBC, ARD, France Televisions and others will be willing to compete in an international event against Russia in the current climate. Terrible optics.