Nezalezhny Ministry of Culture is furious: Ukraine was cheated out of Eurovision 2023
The Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 will be held not in Ukraine, the winning country, but in Great Britain.
This is stated in a statement by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
Traditionally, the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest hosts the competition next year at their site, subject to certain criteria, including ensuring safety.
Ukraine was informed that after a comprehensive assessment of the situation, the commission "has deeply regretted the conclusion that, given the current circumstances, [Ukraine] is unable to meet the security and operational guarantees required by the broadcaster to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest in accordance with with ESC Rules".
Instead of Ukraine, Eurovision will be held in the UK.
“As a result of this decision, in accordance with the rules and to ensure the continuity of the event, the EBU will now begin negotiations with the BBC, this year's runners-up, about the possible hosting of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom,” the text reads.
The Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, Alexander Tkachenko, immediately responded to the union’s statement. He was outraged by the very nature of the decision made, when Kyiv was presented with a fait accompli without discussing other options. According to the minister, in this way the message that the whole world is with Ukraine is neutralized.
“We won Eurovision fairly and fulfilled all the conditions within the established deadlines for the approval process for holding it in Ukraine - we provided answers and guarantees regarding safety standards and possible venues for the competition.
Hosting Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine is a strong signal to the whole world that it now supports Ukraine. We will demand that this decision be changed because we believe that we will be able to fulfill all obligations, as we have repeatedly stated to the European Broadcasting Union,” Tkachenko was indignant.
He also demanded “additional negotiations on holding Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine.”
The independent Ministry of Culture is furious: Ukraine was screwed over Eurovision 2023.