Another episode in Russian-Ukrainian relations is underway, this time on the occasion of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Ukraine has banned Russian singer Yulia Samoilova, who has been selected to represent her country at the next Eurovision Song Contest on May 13 in Kiev, for three years.
Samoilova, a 28-year-old artist with mobility problems and singing in a wheelchair, has been accused by Ukrainian authorities of giving a concert in Crimea after being annexed by Russia.
"Ukraine's security services (SBU) have banned Yulia Samoilova from entering for three years. "The decision has just been made," SBU spokeswoman Alena Gitlianska told AFP by telephone. "The decision was made because of the information we received about its violation of Ukrainian law," he added.
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin immediately denounced the decision, calling it "scandalous." Another Russian ministry source told Sputnik that Moscow considered the SBU's decision "cynical and inhumane", according to the Athens News Agency.
Valentina Matvienko, President of the Russian Federation Council, said that her country will draw conclusions regarding the participation after the clarifications given by the organizers of the competition, regarding the situation. However, Franz Klincevich, the first vice-chairman of the Federal Council's Defense and Security Committee, warned that Moscow would boycott not only this year's Eurovision Song Contest, but all others if "the leadership of the song contest" obviously the EBU) does not stand by Samoilova.
"Russia will certainly boycott this competition, not only in Kiev but also all the next ones. The Eurovision leadership should declare that such a decision by the Ukrainian authorities on Samoilova is unacceptable. "But the Eurovision leadership is silent."
Source: newsbeast.gr