Ukraine’s Victory at Eurovision Last Year, but President Refused Speech in 2023 Show

Ukraine won last year’s final, but President Volodymyr Zelenskyj will not appear on TV screens during the Eurovision final on Saturday.

On Thursday evening, the stage was set for the Eurovision semi-finals, and now it is clear who Norway’s Alessandra will compete against in the final on Saturday.

See dice roll on all contributions her.

Last year it was Ukraine and the Kalush Orchestra who won Eurovision, after a terrific final show in Turin, Italy. Because of the war, they cannot organize this year’s final themselves, and it will be held in Liverpool in Great Britain.

According to British The Times however, the country’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has asked to give a greeting during the live final show on Saturday. He is not allowed to do that.

Eurovision is supposed to be apolitical, and it is therefore not allowed to comment on political issues during the competition.

– This principle prohibits the possibility of making political suggestions during the competition. The request from Zelenskyj to speak to the audience during Eurovision unfortunately cannot be fulfilled because it would go against the rules of the event, although the intention is commendable, says a spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to the Times.

According to the newspaper, the Broadcasting Union assumes that Zelenskyj would use the opportunity to ask for international support for the war in his homeland.

Last year it became clear that Russia will not be allowed to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest because of the war.

The decision to deny Zelenskyj speaking time is met with criticism in England.

– The only reason the competition is held here is because of the conflict in Ukraine, and it would be polite to let Zelenskyj make a statement about why Ukraine is in this very unfortunate situation, which means they cannot host, says Ed Vaizey, who was previously the country’s culture minister, to the Times.

Also after Ukraine’s appearance in the Eurovision final last year, discussions arose about political messages.

The Kalush Orchestra came from the stage with a strong plea to the audience and TV viewers:

– Please, help Ukraine, Mariupol, help Azovstal. Right now, said rapper and frontman Oleh Psiuk.

Azovstal is the steelworks that became the last redoubt for the remaining Ukrainian forces in the port city of Mariupol.

When asked by VG whether Ukraine’s political appeal could lead to disqualification, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) replied as follows:

– We understand the deep feelings surrounding Ukraine at the moment, and consider the comments of the Kalush Orchestra and other artists expressing support for the Ukrainian people to be humanitarian rather than political in nature.

Zelenskyy has not yet commented on the matter.