The EBU have released a statement advising that they have denied Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a fresh statement released on Thursday evening, shortly after this year’s final line-up was completed.
While referencing the non-political nature of the contest, the EBU communications team stated that “the request by Mr Zelensky to address the audience at the Eurovision Song Contest, whilst made with laudable intentions, regrettably cannot be granted by the European Broadcasting Union management as it would be against the rules of the event.”
“The EBU has ensured from the moment it was agreed that the BBC would host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC that Ukraine, its music, its culture, and its creativity would feature strongly throughout all three live shows.”
“We believe that this is the best way to reflect and celebrate Ukraine’s Eurovision Song Contest win and show we are United By Music during these hard times.”
The full statement can be found on the EBU’s website HERE.
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