Rishi Sunak slams ban on President Zelensky addressing Eurovision final
Rishi Sunak has hit out at the decision to stop Ukraine's wartime leader Volodymyr Zelensky from addressing the Eurovision grand final tomorrow.
The Prime Minister's comments come as Liverpool gears up to host the event on behalf of the war-torn country - last year's winners in the competition.
President Zelensky had requested a surprise address to the audience of millions in a video appearance at the event as Russia's brutal invasion continues.
But the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which represents over 100 broadcasters in 56 countries, said it had "regrettably" rejected the request from Zelensky.
They said the Ukrainian President had "laudable intentions" - but stressed the "non-political nature of the event", adding: "It would be against the rules of the event".
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The Prime Minister's spokesman said that Mr Sunak believed it would be "fitting for President Zelensky to address the event" in Liverpool.
Volodymyr Zelensky with Rishi Sunak at No10 in February, 2023 (Getty Images)He added: "We're disappointed by the decision from the European Broadcasting Union.
"The values and freedoms that President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine are fighting for are not political - they are fundamental.
"Eurovision themselves recognised that last year when they rightly suspended Russia's participation from the competition."
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said it "would have been right to hear" from President Zelensky.
"There is only one reason the contest is not in Ukraine and that is because of Putin’s illegal war," he posted on Twitter.
The EBU added in its statement that the Eurovision song contest has been "governed by strict rules and principles which have been established since its creation".
"As part of these, one of the cornerstones of the contest is the non-political nature of the event," they said.
"This principle prohibits the possibility of making political or similar statements as part of the contest. "
The EBU stressed that Ukrainian music and culture would "feature strongly" throughout the Eurovision live shows, including the grand final.
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Around 11 artists from the country, including last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra, have performed at the semi-finals or will do so at the grand final.
They added: "The brand artwork for the event was created together with a Ukrainian design agency and the incidental music featured throughout the show also composed in collaboration with Ukrainian musicians.
"Additionally, 37 locations around Ukraine will feature in the “postcards”, short films that introduce each of the participating artists before they take to the stage.
"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."
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