Update as of 17:45 CET on February 25: The EBU has announced Russia will not compete in Eurovision 2022.
The European Broadcasting Union has stated this morning that Russia remains welcome to compete in Eurovision 2022.
Following a statement from the European Broadcasting Union that Russia remains welcome in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, the CEO of SVT the Swedish public broadcaster has called on the EBU to reconsider. In a statement released to multiple outlets, the EBU stated this morning that:
“The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political cultural event that unites countries and celebrates differences through music. EBU members in both Russia and Ukraine have committed to participating in this year’s event in Turin and we intend to welcome and let artists from both countries participate in May. Of course, we continue to follow developments closely.”
Speaking to GP, Hanna Stjärne the CEO of SVT shared her thoughts on the EBU statement, remarking:
“The EBU needs to rethink. I sympathise with the basic idea of Eurovision as an apolitical event. But the situation in Europe is extremely serious, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It crosses all boundaries. We have called on the EBU to change and will follow developments closely.”
SVT is the first broadcaster to publicly comment on whether Russia should be able to compete in Eurovision 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine this morning.
Separately this morning the Ukrainian public broadcaster has called on the EBU to suspend the membership of Russian broadcasters in the organisation:
Suspilne Requests The Suspension of Russian Broadcasters EBU Membership
Image Source: EBU | Source: GP
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