The EBU says that Russia is “welcome” to Eurovision 2022 … but Sweden’s TV manager asks them to change course
Earlier today, the head of Ukraine’s state broadcaster UA: PBC called on the European Broadcasting Union to withdraw membership in the Russian broadcasters and to exclude the country from Eurovision 2022.
Well now the EBU has responded. In a statement sent to Göteborgs-Posten, officials said that artists from Russia are welcome in the competition. This is despite international condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its blatant violation of international law.
The EBU said: “The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political cultural event that unites nations and celebrates diversity through music.”
“EBU members in both Russia and Ukraine have committed to participating in this year’s event in Turin and we are currently planning to welcome artists from both countries to perform in May.”
“We will, of course, continue to monitor the situation closely.”
The head of Sweden’s state broadcaster SVT has condemned the EBU’s decision, which you can read about SVT website.
– The EBU must rethink, says SVT’s CEO Hanna Stjärne in a statement. “I sympathize with the basic idea of Eurovision as an apolitical event. But the situation in Europe is extremely serious with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It goes beyond all borders. We have called on the EBU to change course and will follow developments closely.”