EBU statement: We will offer Russia the opportunity to perform via satellite

Yesterday, the Ukrainian Security Service announced they had banned Russian participant Julia Samoylova from entering the country for three years. Olena Hytlianska, a spokesperson for the Security Services explained that “the decision was taken due to information that she had violated Ukrainian law”.

“An unprecedented move”

In the last few minutes, the EBU have made the following statement.

Taking into consideration that this ban might be upheld by the Ukrainian authorities, and in order to maintain the non-political nature of the Eurovision Song Contest, the EBU has been working hard to find a solution to this situation and has taken the unprecedented move to offer Channel One Russia the opportunity for Julia to still participate in this year’s Contest by performing live in the 2nd Semi Final via satellite. Should the Russian entry qualify for the Grand Final the same solution would apply. This is something that has never been done before in the Contest’s 60 year history but, in the spirit of Eurovision’s values of inclusivity, and this year’s theme of Celebrate Diversity, the decision has been taken to ensure that all 43 entrants are given the opportunity to participate.

“Continuing our dialogue”

Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor, Jon Ola Sand said:

“We are continuing our dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities with the ambition to have all artists present to perform in host city, Kyiv, which is, of course, our preferred option. It is imperative that the Eurovision Song Contest remains free from politics and as such, due to the circumstances surrounding Julia’s travel ban, we have felt it important to propose a solution that transcends such issues. We have offered Channel One Russia the opportunity for Julia to perform live via satellite as it is the EBU’s intention that every broadcaster that has chosen to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest does so, as has been the case for all previous events in the contest’s history.”

In addition, Frank-Dieter Frieling has continued to hope that the Ukrainian government won’t implement the travel ban for the Russian participant. Frieling is the Chairman of the Reference Group that governs the Eurovision Song Contest.

This statement has offered the Russian broadcaster the opportunity to take part in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest via satellite.

What do you think of the decision? Do you think Russia will take up the offer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and via our social media pages @escXtra.