Ukraine's President Volodym Zelensky will not make an address at the Eurovision Song Contest on May 13 after a turndown by the BBC and other broadcasts.
The European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) statement highlighted that allowing Zelensky’s address would be “against the rules of the event.” The EBU also mentioned the BBC also agreed with the decision as they have the leading role in presenting the event on behalf of the Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine, or Suspilne Ukraine for short.
Zelensky’s Eurovision address was to establish the importance of people keeping their support with Ukraine during the Russian invasion.
Since the start of the Russian invasion, Zelensky has tried to address Ukraine’s needs and calls for the end of the invasion as soon as possible in person or virtually at events like the United Kingdom parliament and EU parliament.
The spokesman for UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the Prime Minister was disappointed to hear of the decision.
“It would be fitting for President Zelensky to address the event, and we’re disappointed by the decision from the European Broadcasting Union,” they said.
In the week before the EBU’s statement was released, Sunak tweeted how proud he was in Liverpool of taking the leading role in hosting the Eurovision.
“Liverpool is doing us all proud in hosting Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine. Toing we celebrated just how powerful this contest is in uniting us through music,” Sunak stated. “As my friend Zelensky says, one day this contest will be hosted in a victorious, free Ukraine.”
On May 12, Director of Culture Liverpool Claire McColgan stated on Times Radio that it “would be fantastic to have Zelensky in the city at this time, especially for the people from Ukraine who have come here, wishing it was at home.”
The Eurovision Song Contest Final will start with Austria and end with the UK as 26 countries will compete. Ukraine, winner of last year’s Eurovision, placed 19th on the running order.
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