Zelenskyy barred from addressing 'nonpolitical' Eurovision Song Contest

Organisers rejected a request from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make a video address to the final of Eurovision Song Contest

This weekend's Eurovision Song Contest will have Ukrainian flags, Ukrainian musicians and Ukrainian fans — but not the country's wartime leader.

Organisers rejected a request from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make a video address to the final of the pan-continental music competition on May 13. He was expected to urge the world continue its support for Ukraine's fight to repel Russian invasion.

The European Broadcasting Union, which runs Eurovision, said that letting Mr. Zelenskyy participate would breach “the nonpolitical nature of the event.”

Mr. Zelenskyy's request "to address the audience at the Eurovision Song Contest, whilst made with laudable intentions, regrettably cannot be granted by the European Broadcasting Union management as it would be against the rules of the event,” the organisation said.

Founded in 1956 to help heal a continent shattered by war, Eurovision strives to keep pop and politics separate. Overtly political lyrics, signs and symbols are banned.

But politics can't be shut out entirely. Russia was banned from the contest after it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Belarus had been kicked out the previous year over its government's clampdown on dissent.

Last year's contest was won by Ukraine, and the U.K. has stepped in to host on its behalf.