Scandal around Eurovision: Russia should be disqualified first

Scandal around Eurovision: Russia should be disqualified first

Ukrinform
We should respond rigidly to all attempts to blame Ukraine for "bad attitude" towards disabled Russian singer Samoilova.

March 28, 2017, Swiss newspaper Sonntagsblick published the article, referring to Director General of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Ingrid Deltenre, about the unacceptability of Ukraine's attitude towards Russian singer Yulia Samoilova and the plans of the Eurovision Song Contest organizer to impose sanctions on Ukraine, in particular, to temporarily suspend it from participation in Eurovision.

Where was Mrs. Deltenre's letter written?

March 31, 2017, the letter signed by Ingrid Deltenre addressed to Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman appeared on the Internet.

"No previous host country has prevented an artist performing at the Eurovision Song Contest and the EBU would not like a precedent to be set in 2017," Deltenre tries to misinform the addressee. However, it is well known that back in 2009, when Moscow hosted Eurovision Song Contest, the Russian side blocked performance of Stefane and 3G band from Georgia. The reason for that was unequivocally political: a year earlier, in 2008, Russia invaded Georgia. Moscow banned the Georgian band from participation in the Song Contest for one line in the lyrics of their song: “we do not want put in.” It is a so well known fact that we have to assume even the most incredible thing: Was this letter to the Ukrainian PM written in the EBU office in Geneva?

In addition, the letter of the EBU director general reads that the situation with Samoilova allegedly caused outrage among the broadcasters from all over Europe. A number of them have allegedly criticized the Ukraine’s decision and "are considering to withdraw from the event"... This is also as much interesting as illogical. After all, if they decided to "scare intolerant Ukraine", what’s the use of anonymity? Who has "criticized" Ukraine? Which country is "considering to withdraw"? And here again we have to make a suggestion: they mistake the wish for the reality, hoping to scare Kyiv!

When nothing threatens reputation...

And now let's see who is making a fuss and how. Leaving out of the discussion little-known pro-Russian media outlets, the authoritative newspapers emphasize that sanctions against Ukraine have no official confirmation from the contest organizer while citing the Deltenre's letter. At the same time, a statement by EBU representative Dave Goodman, who said that the issue of sanctions could be discussed only after holding the contest in Ukraine, has not been widely spread in the media for some reason...

At the request of DW, the EBU confirmed the quotes by Ingrid Deltenre published in the Swiss tabloid though stressing that they “cannot be responsible for conclusions, made by the newspaper, about the imposition of sanctions against Ukraine and excluding it from the Eurovision Song Contest.” This important clarification has not yet received a wide response. However, the situation is clear now: such “sanctions” are pipe dreams of Sonntagsblick and those, who disseminate conjectures and lies.

Who wants to support SUCH Russia, go for it!

The Russian machine of disinformation, blackmail and bribery never stops. It is necessary to remind Europe, and not only Europe, that Ukraine and the entire world now do not live the Eurovision, more precisely, we do not live the Eurovision at all. We need to use all our capacities to send a message across the world: There is such a country, the Russian Federation, a colossal chip of a colossal Russian Empire, which has been dying for 100 years, diffusing around itself the stench of injustice, lies and the horror of death. Currently, this country is poisoning the information channels around the world with lies, interfering in other people's elections, waging the open bloody war in Syria and the unannounced hybrid war in Ukraine, killing tens of thousands of people. This country has annexed the foreign territory in Europe for the first time in more than 70 years. This country secretly sends its servicemen to the Ukrainian Donbas, supplying them with powerful weapons, which are used to down civil aircrafts with hundreds of passengers on board. Not disdaining the outright terror, this country does everything possible to weaken the united Europe up to the disintegration of the EU... It also should be mentioned a blasphemous, planned provocation with the "appointment" of disabled Yulia Samoilova as a representative of the Russian Federation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. We need to emphasize that the Ukraine’s Security Service has banned Samoilova (and not only her) from entering Ukraine not for being disabled, but for her demonstrative disregard for Ukraine, its territorial integrity and, eventually, European values.

If the EBU, its chief and the "anonymous boycotters" want to provide moral support for SUCH Russia, this is their right. You may boycott or "express concern", we have our work to do, which is far more important than all the "international song competitions" put together. Actually, the Security Service of Ukraine did its work and did it right.

Eurovision Song Contest, as well as the Olympic Games, is the activity of peaceful life. We have war here in Ukraine.

Ihor Petruk, Kyiv

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