Ukraine to challenge decision to stop it hosting Eurovision 2023

LAST UPDATE | 17 Jun 2022

UKRAINE HAS CONDEMNED the European Broadcasting Union’s decision to strip it of the right to host next year’s Eurovision song contest on security grounds after Russia’s invasion.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) earlier ruled out the possibility of the country hosting the competition due to the ongoing war, saying it will “potentially” be held in the UK.

In a statement, Ukrainian Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko said: “We honestly won Eurovision and have fulfilled all the conditions within the deadlines for the process of approving its holding in Ukraine – we have provided answers and guarantees on safety standards and possible venues for the competition.”

“We will demand to change this decision, because we believe that we will be able to fulfil all the commitments… We demand additional negotiations on hosting Eurovision-2023 in Ukraine,” he said.

I’m convinced Ukraine has all the rights and possibilities to host #Eurovision-2023 in our country. pic.twitter.com/XnJe3JieIj

— Tkachenko Oleksandr (@otkachenkoua) June 17, 2022

Ukraine’s entry this year found favour with the public and won the competition, but the EBU has said the security and operational requirements to host it in 2023 cannot currently be fulfilled by Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC.

In a statement, the EBU said: “The EBU has been exploring options for the hosting of next year’s competition with Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC, who previously staged the event in 2017 and 2005.

“Given the ongoing war since the Russian invasion of this year’s winning country, the EBU has taken the time to conduct a full assessment and feasibility study with both UA:PBC and third-party specialists including on safety and security issues.”

The UK’s entry, Space Man by Sam Ryder, came second overall after winning the jury vote. The EBU will now enter into discussions with the BBC to explore the possibility of the 2023 contest being held in the UK.

The statement continued: “The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most complex TV productions in the world with thousands working on, and attending, the event and 12 months of preparation time needed.”

The EBU thanked UA:PBC “for their wholehearted cooperation and commitment in exploring all scenarios in the weeks since Kalush Orchestra’s win on 14 May in Turin and share their sadness and disappointment that next year’s contest cannot be held in Ukraine.

“It is our full intention that Ukraine’s win will be reflected in next year’s shows. This will be a priority for us in our discussions with the eventual hosts.”

Downing Street welcomed the possibility of the UK hosting Eurovision if Ukraine cannot.

A No 10 spokesman said: “Ukraine’s victory in the Eurovision song contest was richly deserved and as the rightful winner the Government’s firm wish has been to see next year’s contest hosted there.

“If the EBU decides the competition can’t go ahead in Ukraine we would of course welcome the opportunity to work closely with Ukraine and the BBC to host it here in the UK.

“But we would be committed to ensuring it overwhelmingly reflects Ukraine’s rich culture, heritage and creativity, as well as building on the ongoing partnership between our two countries.”

Asked if the Government would help the BBC with the costs, the spokesman said “we’re slightly getting ahead of ourselves in terms of the process”.

We wish @Eurovision could be in Ukraine but understand that in circumstances this isn’t possible.

However, I can think of a perfect venue on banks of the River Clyde!! @scotgov is happy to discuss with BBC, @GlasgowCC @EBU_HQ and others https://t.co/74YzxlWgWh

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 17, 2022

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon offered Glasgow as a potential destination for the contest, tweeting: “I can think of a perfect venue on banks of the River Clyde!!”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said Londoners would welcome the contest “with open arms”. 

“We’re ready to step up and support Ukraine by hosting a contest that pays tribute to and honours the Ukrainian people, and also celebrates the very best of Britain too,” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, CEO of Belfast Chamber and former DUP finance minister Simon Hamilton tweeted that Belfast would be “the perfect host city” for Eurovision, after it became a UNESCO City of Music in November last year. 

The BBC said in a statement: “We have seen the announcement from the EBU. Clearly these aren’t a set of circumstances that anyone would want.

“Following their decision, we will of course discuss the BBC hosting the Eurovision Song Contest.”

Ukraine’s victory, with the song Stefania by Kalush Orchestra, marked the first time that a song with hip hop elements won the contest.

Frontman Oleh Psiuk said after that the victory gave the people of Ukraine a much-needed boost.

The band members were given special permission to leave Ukraine to attend the competition. Ukrainian men aged between 18 and 60 are forbidden from leaving the country in case they are needed to fight.

Additional reporting from Jane Moore, AFP and the Press Association