SONG BAN
RUSSIA has been BANNED from this year's Eurovision Song Contest after Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.
The European Broadcasting Union announced the news this afternoon - insisting the country's inclusion would bring the 2022 Turin event "into disrepute".
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Finland said on Friday it would not send contestants to the final if Russia was allowed to participate.
And public broadcasters in Ukraine, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Norway had all urged the EBU to expel the global powerhouse.
The EBU said in a statement: "The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year's Contest would bring the competition into disrepute."
Before making the punitive decision, the EBU said it took time to consult widely among its membership.
It added: "The EBU is an apolitical member organisation of broadcasters committed to upholding the values of public service.
"We remain dedicated to protecting the values of a cultural competition which promotes international exchange and understanding, brings audiences together, celebrates diversity through music and unites Europe on one stage."
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It comes after UEFA stripped St Petersburg of the Champions League Final following Russia's invasion of Ukraine - with the game relocating to Paris.
Just hours later, the Russian Grand Prix was scrapped from the racing calendar after Max Verstappen led calls for the F1 boycott.
Russian military forces began their invasion of neighbouring Ukraine on Thursday, prompting the imposition of economic sanctions by Western powers.
The chairman of Ukraine's public broadcasting company Suspilne, Mykola Chernotytsky, wrote to the EBU saying: "Russia's participation, as an aggressor and violator of international law, in this year's Eurovision undermines the very idea of the competition."
The Eurovision final, one of the world's largest televised events, is set to take place in Turin, Italy, on May 14.
Russia, which had yet to put forward a contestant this year, has participated 23 times since its first appearance in 1994 and won the contest in 2008.
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