The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which operates the Eurovision Song Contest, says Ukraine`s National Public Broadcasting Company (UAPBC) might be excluded from future events if a Russian contestant is not allowed to participate in this year`s competition in Kyiv, according to a letter sent by EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre to Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman on March 23.
”No previous host country has prevented an artist performing at the Eurovision Song Contest and the EBU would not like a precedent to be set in 2017. We consider the current ban of the Russian singer as unacceptable. As a consequence, the UAPBC might be excluded from future events,” the letter reads.
Earlier, European Broadcasting Union refutes reports on sanctions against Eurovision host Ukraine
Deltenre informed Groysman that the EBU had received communication from a number of its members who criticize Ukraine`s decision to ban Russian singer Yulia Samoilova from participating in the contest in Kyiv for violating Ukrainian legislation, and the members are considering withdrawal from the event in 2017.
See also: Russia`s Eurovision participant Samoilova banned from entering Ukraine
”We have not been made aware of any information that Yulia Samoilova poses a security threat to Ukraine,” Deltenre wrote.
”The EBU does everything it can to ensure that the Eurovision Song Contest remains a non-political event, and we are increasingly frustrated, in fact angry that this year`s competition is being used as a tool in the ongoing confrontation between the Russian Federation and Ukraine,” she wrote.
Earlier, Eurovision Director said Ukraine has right to ban Russian participant and “fully respect and understand the laws of Ukraine”.
”Should this ban be confirmed by your office, it would certainly have a very big negative impact on Ukraine`s international reputation as a modern, democratic European nation,” she said.
Deltenre said she expected Groysman ”will quickly find a solution.”
Earlier, the SBU Security Service of Ukraine on March 22 included Samoilova (also spelled Samoylova) in the so-called stop list for three years for visiting Russian-occupied Crimea in violation of Ukraine`s entry and exit requirements.
