Photo: Kairit Leibold / ERR

More and more European broadcasters are condemning Russia’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. They’re asking the European Broadcasting Union to exclude it from the next edition in Turin.

Now Estonia’s broadcaster ERR has announced it will consider withdrawing from Eurovision 2022 if Russia takes part in this year’s contest.

As ERR explains on its web site, Estonia will decide on its participation “depending on whether or not Russia participates in the competition.”

Erik Roose, Chairman of the Board of ERR, has reached out to colleagues from the EBU about the matter. He told ERR:

“Obviously, it is inconceivable that Estonia will participate in Eurovision in a situation where Russia participates there, but in this case Ukraine will not. Our colleagues from other Baltic countries apparently share this view. We will continue to communicate with the EBU as the organizer of the song contest.”

Estonian representative Stefan has not yet commented on the matter.

Iceland asks the EBU to suspend Russia

Since yesterday, nine countries have asked the EBU to suspend the Russian broadcasters or to exclude Russia from Eurovision 2022. Iceland is among the latest. 

“We have been in contact with our Nordic colleagues who share our concerns about the situation in Ukraine. It is the opinion of all of us that it will not work for Russia to participate in Eurovision in these circumstances,” says Stefán Eiríksson, RÚV’s radio director.

He wouldn’t be pressed on whether Iceland would withdraw if Russia is allowed to take part, saying now is not the time to discuss that. “I have full faith that the EBU will take this seriously and responsibly.”

So far, nine of the 41 participant countries at Eurovision 2022 have asked the EBU to exclude Russia:

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

Iceland

Lithuania

The Netherlands

Norway

Sweden

Ukraine

 

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Dolly
Dolly
2 years ago

Uk 100% behind you Estonia

Chris
Chris
2 years ago

If the EBU do not grow a pair and remove Russia from the contest, I will not be watching/supporting it going forward. The contest was created to try and unify a war-torn Europe. What Russia is doing is in complete contravention to the ideals on which this contest was founded upon. I understand that others are bringing up the Azerbaijan/Armenia situation, Israel and even the UK and others invading Iraq etc… The difference is that none of them created the potential for WW3. What Russia is doing could realistically make that a possibility. I doubt the BBC (or other Big… Read more »

Jörgen Frinell
Jörgen Frinell
2 years ago
Reply to  Chris

I’d say that it is Putin who is inflicting these atrocities on both Ukraine and also on Russia.

Chris
Chris
2 years ago

Although I agree that it is not all of Russia doing this, Putin would not be as powerful if he wasn’t being propped up by followers and such. If the Russians don’t like what he is doing they need to turn on him as a country. The soldiers need to stop doing what they are doing and turn on him.

Kevin Jackson Phillips
Kevin Jackson Phillips
2 years ago

Why has RT (Russian Television News) not been removed from Freeview as it spouts Putin’s lies, misinformation and threats? ??

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago

BBC News just announced that the EBU have excluded Russia from the Eurovision Song Contest.

Valentino
Valentino
2 years ago

No comments from the Big 5 yet?

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Valentino

No need, because the EBU has finally found it balls to expel Russia

Pancake
Pancake
2 years ago

Breaking News:
No Russian act will be performing in Eurovision 2022

Thank You, AMEN!!

Campbell Grace
Campbell Grace
2 years ago

The EBU have announced Russia will not participate at Eurovision! FINALLY! “The EBU has announced that no Russian act will participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The Executive Board of the EBU made the decision following a recommendation earlier today by the Eurovision Song Contest’s governing body, the Reference Group, based on the rules of the event and the values of the EBU. The Reference Group recommendation was also supported by the EBU’s Television Committee. The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Campbell Grace
Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Campbell Grace

They really had no choice.
While I welcome the decision, the fact that it took over 24 hours from the invasion to reach this decision (amid mounting pressure) is rather unsettling.

But I hope this is true

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
2 years ago
Reply to  Campbell Grace

YES!!!

ThorBeta
ThorBeta
2 years ago

Russia has just been kicked out of the contest officially!! Thanks Europe!! Solidarity to Ukraine!!

Noel
Noel
2 years ago
Reply to  ThorBeta

I hope that everyone in Ukraine knows how much the rest off Europe love and care for you all and please don’t leave the eurovision song contest

Catriona
Catriona
2 years ago

Wiwibloggs, grow a pair and do not any longer cover Russia at Eurovision.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Catriona

Your wish might come true, because the EBU has finally made decision to expel Russia from eurovision.

Esc
Esc
2 years ago

Hopefully the other broadcasters also speak up, disappointed that the big 5 have remained silent so far.

Sometimes
Sometimes
2 years ago

Stefans song “i hope” is partly inspired by hoping for the peace and wars to end

So lets keep hoping….. that Russia will be banned, its the only right thing to do.

Hamar
Hamar
2 years ago

And the winner is Russia

Andy
Andy
2 years ago

UNRELATED
some eurovision fans are cancelling Maneskin because they posted their upcoming Istanbul(Turkey) concert announcement when there is a war. Guys please stop it , they’ve already talked about the war but this is their job and that’s how they make a living. Yes we all have to raise our voices about this horrible thing but also everyone has to go on with their lives. So please stop it

Last edited 2 years ago by Andy
JSU12
JSU12
2 years ago

Come on Europe/Australia. Holding a god damn song contests is NOT more important than uniting against Russia.

Denis
Denis
2 years ago
Reply to  JSU12

Please stop that! You can both unite against Russia and have a contest.
There was a war in the Balkan’s in the 90¨s, did they stop the contest then?

Solfrid Holte Johansen
Solfrid Holte Johansen
2 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Well, Yugoslavia split up. This is an invasion of another sovereign state that already exists.

Denis
Denis
2 years ago

It still was a very bloody war and even a genocide. Not that your country cared about it. Nor did in fact any other European country until it was much to late..

kohen
kohen
2 years ago

BAN Russia NOW! and if the viewing figures/ratings are really important for EBU and if it is the only reason to keep RUS in the contest, switch Russia with Turkey!

kohen
kohen
2 years ago
Reply to  kohen

I cannot believe EBU just turns a blind eye to what’s going on in Ukraine for ratings and money! If ratings and money are must, then bring back Turkey, 85 million population and they are at least our NATO alliance.

Bombalurina
Bombalurina
2 years ago
Reply to  kohen

I would do that.. Turkey stands with Ukraine bravely even though there is a Russian threat for their own region, also open for Refugees anytime.. Has it own problems but open for help for anyone needs by the way a Turkish participation would EXPLODE ratings and could beat 2016 viewing figures

Last edited 2 years ago by Bombalurina
Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
2 years ago

The silence from East European broadcasters are deafening.

Campbell Grace
Campbell Grace
2 years ago

I mean we don’t expect Azerbaijan or Armenia to speak out now do we?

I’m more disappointed that the big 5 haven’t said anything yet but I’m also not surprised.

Safiya
Safiya
2 years ago

As much as I hate our broadcaster, I am almost 100% sure that Polish broadcaster is against Russia in Eurovision. Sooner or later, they will probably issue a statement. I don’t know why they haven’t done that yet. I have the impression that we are too close to this war to even think about Eurovision now. 

Last edited 2 years ago by Safiya
James
James
2 years ago

Considering Armenia and Azerbaijan have Russian peacekeepers in their own disputed region, their respective broadcaster will definitely not speak up against Russia,.

dygh
dygh
2 years ago

And the Big 5? I wouldn’t be so quick to judge.
I think most broadcasters don’t know how to handle the situation because there are more important things than a song contest.

raylee
raylee
2 years ago

Russia is going to be disqualified %100 because some countries said they won’t take part if Russia takes , EBU has to cancel them to save the show.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
2 years ago

Please no! It’s looking more and more like this ESC could be entirely cancelled! What are we gonna do if we don’t have ‘Hope’?!

Joey
Joey
2 years ago

Move on with our lives and hope for the best for Ukraine?

Xxx
Xxx
2 years ago

Ban Russia, that’s all it takes. Imagine canceling the show just because you don’t want to ban Hitl… i mean Putin.

Last edited 2 years ago by Xxx
Denis
Denis
2 years ago

Just ban Russia and you can have a contest..

NickC
NickC
2 years ago

EBU wake up and read the room!!!