Russia officially refused to participate in “Eurovision”
This is stated in the statement of the European broadcasting Union.
Moscow. April 14. INTERFAX.RU — the European broadcasting Union (EBU) stated that Russia will not be able to participate in the international contest “Eurovision-2017”.
“After the official confirmation that the Russian participant of Eurovision Julia Samoilova will not be allowed entry to Kyiv for the participation in the Eurovision song contest 2017, the EBU formally proposed two alternatives for the “First channel” in an attempt to find a solution that would allow Russia to continue its participation this year. The proposals were to either to participate via satellite, or replace the selected artist into one that could legitimately travel to Ukraine for the contest”, — says the official statement of the EBU.
The European broadcasting Union noted with regret that both proposals were rejected by the “First channel”, in addition, he refused to broadcast the contest.
“This means that Russia will not be able to participate in the contest this year. We really want all 43 countries have been able to participate, and did everything possible to achieve this goal,” reads the statement.
As reported, Russia has chosen to participate in “Eurovision-2017” Samoilov singer with the song “the Flame is Burning”. From childhood, she is wheelchair-bound and has a first group of disability.
On 22 March the security Service of Ukraine made the decision on a ban of 3 years of entry into the country Samoilova as illegally visited the Crimea, on the basis of the data about violation of legislation of Ukraine.
In the EBU expressed its deep disappointment with this decision and stated the intention to contact with Kiev, to all the contestants could take part in it.
March 23, EBU was invited to participate Samoilova in the Eurovision song contest on a video-link. But “the First channel” has rejected an offer by the EBU on remote participation Samoilova, saying that the organizers should ensure that the performance of the singer in accordance with the regulations.
13 April, the Russian “First channel” declared that will not broadcast this year’s Eurovision song contest due to the failure of the Ukrainian authorities to allow the country to participate in this singer Samoilov.