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Russia has banned Eurovision from its TV screens

Photo credit: YouTube
Photo credit: YouTube

From Digital Spy

Russia has responded to its act being banned from this year's Eurovision by saying the music contest won't be aired in the country.

It was revealed yesterday (March 22) that Ukraine will not allow the Russian Eurovision entry to compete in this year's contest for political reasons, with Julia Samoilova banned from entering the host country for three years.

The ban came about as Julia admitted to performing in Crimea since it was annexed by Russia in 2014, and broadcaster Russia-1 has now said that unless she's allowed to perform, no channel in the country will broadcast Eurovision (via Eurovoix).

Russia-1 stated that an agreement has been made between itself and Channel One that they will not broadcast this year's contest, but Channel One has not confirmed this news.

The two broadcasters take it in turn to organise Russian participation in Eurovision, with it being Channel One's turn this year.

Ukraine has previously blacklisted 140 other Russian artists from entering the country, but there has never been a participant of the Eurovision Song Contest that has ever been banned from the host country.

Photo credit: Channel One (Russia) / YouTube
Photo credit: Channel One (Russia) / YouTube

When Julia's entry was announced, a Kremlin spokesperson told Russia's TASS that they were not trying to cause provocation with their entry.

Ukraine won the competition in Sweden last year with Jamala's politically-charged '1944'.

Lucie Jones's 'Never Give Up on You' will be the UK's entry this year.


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