Eurovision 2023 organizers reject Zelensky's request to give video speech at final - media

MOSCOW. May 12 (Interfax) - The Eurovision organizers have not allowed Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to address the audience of the song contest's final by video link, fearing that "it would politicize the event", Ukrainian media said, citing The Times.

"A request by the Ukrainian leader to make a surprise video appearance during the final, in which he was expected to urge the global audience of 160 million to continue their support for his country, was turned down by the event organizers," according to an article published on the newspaper's website.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) - an alliance of more than 100 broadcasters that oversees the contest - is concerned that "an appearance by Zelensky risks politicizing the event."

"The Eurovision song contest is an international entertainment show and governed by strict rules and principles which have been established since its creation. As part of these, one of the cornerstones of the contest is the non-political nature of the event," The Times quoted the Eurovision organizers as saying.

Meanwhile, according to Ukrainian media reports, Zelensky's Office, in turn, said that it had not asked the Eurovision organizers to allow the president to deliver an online address.

"The Office of the President of Ukraine did not contact the organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest with an offer of an online address by Vladimir Zelensky during the final or at any other stage of the contest," Ukrainian media outlets quoted the president's press secretary Sergei Nikiforov as saying in a social media post.