“Why the EBU rejected Ukrainian President’s video message at Eurovision 2022 final”

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has rejected a video message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool on Saturday. According to the British newspaper The Times does the organizer want to prevent it from becoming a political event.

Zelensky would have asked for a video to urge support during the war in Ukraine, but the EBU does not want that. “One of the pillars of the competition is its non-political character. This principle prohibits the possibility of making political or similar statements during the competition. “Mr Zelensky’s request to address the public at the Eurovision Song Contest was made with laudable intentions, but unfortunately cannot be granted as it would be against the rules of the event.”

Last year, the EBU decided shortly after the invasion of Ukraine that Russia was not allowed to participate. At the time, the organizer stated that Russia’s participation could “discredit” the competition. Several countries had put pressure on the EBU and said they would not come if Russia was also allowed to come.

Ukraine should actually host the Eurovision song contest due to last year’s profit. Because of the war, the United Kingdom took over the organization. (ANP)