Update as of 17:45 CET: The EBU has announced Russia will not compete in Eurovision 2022.
The Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT has called on the European Broadcasting Union to remove Russia from the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.
The Head of LRT Monika Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė has called on the European Broadcasting Union to not allow Russia to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy. This comes after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
Ms Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė informed LRT that they had sent a letter to the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group outlining their argument for why Russia should not be allowed to compete.
Ms Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė went on to add that:
The rules of the organization and the Eurovision Song Contest cannot prevent a proper response to criminals. Next week, we will invite other countries to join a joint statement calling for Russia’s exclusion from Eurovision. We use all means to achieve our goal.
The following broadcasters have expressed their dissatisfaction with the EBU’s statement yesterday stating that Russia remains welcome to participate:
- AVROTROS – Netherlands – Has called for Russian broadcasters to be suspended from the EBU
- DR – Denmark
- NRK – Norway
- Suspilne – Ukraine – Has also called for Russian broadcasters to be suspended from the EBU
- SVT – Sweden
- Yle – Finland – Has said it will withdraw from the contest if Russia is allowed to compete
Citi Zēni who will represent Latvia at Eurovision 2022 has also called on Russia to be excluded from the contest.
Image Source: EBU / Stijn Smulders | Source: LRT
Lithuania debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994, however on their debut they finished in last place with nul points. Lithuania didn’t return to the contest until 1999 when Aiste finished 20th with the song “Strazdas”. Lithuania’s best result came in 2006 when LT United performed “We Are The Winners”; they finished 6th in the final with a total of 162 points. Lithuania has only finished in the top 10 on two other occasions; in 2016 with “I’ve Been Waiting For This Night” by Donny Montell and in 2021 with “Discoteque” by The Roop.
