Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister: Russia still has time to replace its Eurovision contestant
Russia still has time to select another participant for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest to replace singer Yuliya Samoylova, who is banned from entering Ukraine due to her appearance at a concert in the occupied Kerch, as stated by the Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister, Vyacheslav Kyrylenko, 1tv.com.ua reports.
In answering a question about the Russian Federation’s participation in the contest, the Vice Prime Minister noted that Ukraine's position on this issue is unchanged.
"We are waiting for the participants from all 43 countries, including a representative from the Russian Federation. But the participant from the Russian Federation, like from any other country, should not be in violation of Ukrainian legislation. Russia has enough time to send another participant to take part in the competition, one who has not violated Ukrainian law. We are not making exceptions for any other country," Kyrylenko said.
He also emphasized that the government has fulfilled all the obligations in preparation for the contest.
"There may be different political motivations around the Eurovision Song Contest in Ukraine. We all know where they come from. But all the production, organizational, and other issues are being solved in a timely and appropriate way for the best possible execution of this fantastic event which will take place in May," Kyrylenko stressed.
Ukraine banned Russian contestant Yuliya Samoylova’s entry because she illegally crossed the border in 2015 for a concert in the Russian-occupied Crimea. She had planned to represent Russia with the song Flame Is Burning.
The Federation Council of the Russian Federation stated that Russia would not change the Russian participant under any circumstance. The Eurovision Song Contest will be held on May 9-13 in Kyiv.