Russia will be allowed to compete in Eurovision despite invasion, organizer says
CNN
A performer representing the country of Russia will be allowed to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, organizers said on Thursday.
"The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political cultural event," a statement provided to CNN by Eurovision said. "The EBU [European Broadcasting Union] is however concerned about current events in Ukraine and will continue to closely monitor the situation."
Ukraine had petitioned to the European Broadcasting Union to bar Russia from participating in the competition in light of the invasion, according to a statement that was translated by NPR. The request was made in a letter that was primarily asking the EBU to remove Russian media from the association.
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