Following the invasion of Ukraine, Russia will not compete in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, according to the competition’s producer.
In a statement, the European Broadcasting Union claimed that having a Russian entry at the Turin event in 2022 would bring the competition into shame.
It had earlier stated that the competition was non-political and that Russia would participate.
According to the EBU: “The decision was made after the EBU’s Executive Board received a recommendation from the Eurovision Song Contest’s regulatory body, the Reference Group, earlier today, based on the event’s rules and the EBU’s values.
“The EBU’s Television Committee backed the Reference Group’s recommendation. The decision underscores concerns that including a Russian submission in this year’s Contest would bring the competition into discredit in light of the exceptional turmoil in Ukraine.
The EBU consulted widely among its membership before making this decision.
“The EBU is a non-political membership organisation of broadcasters dedicated to promoting public service objectives. We will continue to defend the values of a cultural competition that fosters international interaction and understanding, brings audiences together, celebrates variety through music, and brings Europe together on one platform.”
The 66th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Turin after Maneskin, an Italian rock band, won the competition in 2021.
