Kyiv 2017

EBU Chief Describes Ukraine’s Behaviour As “Absolutely Unacceptable”

In her home country, she is a superstar. In Ukraine, she is unwelcome. The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) banned Yulia Samoylova from entering Ukraine for three-years after she illegally entered Crimea through Russia. The chief of the EBU has commented on the controversy today.
EBU chief, Ingrid Deltenre (seen above), is in negotations with the Ukrainian Prime Minister, Volodymyr Hrojsman, and President, Petro Poroshenko. Since only these two people could reverse the decision to ban Yulia from entering Ukraine, or make sure that it only comes into force after Eurovision, they are vital to this controversy. Despite these negotations, Deltenre describes Ukraine’s behaviour as “absolutely unacceptable”. She says:

I deeply regret that Ukraine is abusing the ESC for political reasons. The Eurovision Song Contest should delight and bring together millions of people. Thus, broadcasters should not use it to incite them against each other. The behaviour of Ukraine is absolutely unacceptable.”

Other potential solutions

One suggested solution was to have Yulia perform her song, ‘Flame is Burning’, via satellite. But this would be a first for the Eurovision Song Contest, as the rules usually state that all participants must sing their song live on stage in the host country. However, the Ukrainian broadcaster turned down this suggestion, stating that Yulia’s appearance on Ukrainian television would go against Ukrainian laws under the ban.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, said about the ban:

“It is a blow to the image of the Eurovision Song Contest.”

On the other hand, some Eurovision fans have suggested that Russia selected Yulia to put pressure on Ukraine or to cut down on potential booing. Still, other fans suggest that Ukraine is being unfair and unnecessarily bringing politics into the contest.

Will Ukraine be banned from Eurovision?

If a solution isn’t made in the next few weeks, Deltenre suggests that she may create sanctions against Ukraine. This would mean exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest. Thus, this puts a lot of pressure on Ukraine to create a solution that every party is happy with. However, if they are unable to do this, the EBU may remove Ukraine from the contest.

What do you think of the controversy? Are Ukraine right to ban Yulia? Should Ukraine be removed from the contest? Leave a comment and let us know!

Luke Malam

I've watched Eurovision for as long as I can remember, but my interest really built in 2008, after I decided to watch the semifinals online, out of boredom, before the final...I was blown away by the quality of the show and have been hooked ever since! I'm a competitive trampolinist and I love baking. I've also just completed a master's degree in Research Methods in Psychology at University College London.

Comments on EBU Chief Describes Ukraine’s Behaviour As “Absolutely Unacceptable”

  • https://plus.google.com/104667371759860168914 Dror Talker

    I think Ukraine has made a good decision. This law is law. The European Broadcasting Union said at first that they would not interfere in the Ukrainian decision. She should know that if Ukraine is banned from the Eurovision Song Contest, it will not be Eurovision 2017. Then the European Broadcasting Union will have to pay for what they did.

  • http://twitter.com/StopBombingKids freeYourMind (@StopBombingKids)

    Deltenre is absolutly right! Even after ukrainian law, after illegal entering the border u get normaly some penalty fine plus elapsing time get it even much less. So it absolutly political farce! Ukraine should be banned for this! And partipician would be happier in other country where the place is clean and ready

  • http://twitter.com/StopBombingKids freeYourMind (@StopBombingKids)

    wrong! after ukrainian law she would pay some penalty fine in worst case

  • Mykola

    this is very interesting for me what happened, it’s been more than 3 weeks after Ukraine has banned the entry of Russian participant and only now made a statement EBU and Ingrid Deltenre…..what happened ,,,??? She said – ” The behavior of Ukraine absolutely unacceptable.” what to say about Russia’s behavior???..acceptable…absofuckinglutly , sorry.
    I agree with her saying “The Eurovision Song Contest should delight and bring together millions of people.” I wonder what would be said Deltenre if the contest was held in Russia and Ukraine participated Jamalas song 1944…( probably it would be also a solution to Georgia “put in….”) Yes, I already said I don’t like the politicization of the contest too…..but Ukraine is not the beginning of it…and unfortunately the competition for many years politicized … I believe the correct solution to the Ukraine, our law is above all and if will Ukraine be banned from Eurovision, for me personally, it would be a big disappointment,…. so Ukraine adopts this decision .and tell me will whether this is a political decision !!!!!?….and again, Russia has won, by what method – it doesn’t matter…..think for yourself…..(((

  • http://twitter.com/SteffenGoebbels JosephSeibert (@SteffenGoebbels)

    russian comedians “comedywoman” who recently made show in crimea had big show in kiev yesterday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYD5WFnWkYA so kyiev absolutly aprove that they abusing the eurovision for their political games! That is anacceptable! Ukraine also is absolutly unsafe place. Everyday there is murder and terroristic attacks from several rassistic groups wich were armed by government and now they are completly out of control.

  • Robert Versteeg

    It’s complicated. I think Ukraine is wrong to push their politics into Eurovision, which is supposed to be politics free. They should have made an exception. On the other hand, Russia knew about this law for sure, so they put forward a singer who would create this controversy on purpose to taunt the Ukrainians. So, who is at fault in the end.
    Finally, I always have appreciated Russia’s entries, but I have to admit that the song this year was very weak, so it is a real loss anyway…???

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