The travel ban applied to the Russian representative in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, by the Security Services of the host country, Ukraine caused an avalanche of actions and reactions. Earlier today the EBU suggested a brilliant idea to include Julia Samoilova in the Eurovision show(s), where she would perform remotely on a stage outside Ukraine. Little they know.
Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister reacts
Through his personal Twitter account, the Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister, Vyacheslav Kirilenko, rejects EBU’s proposal since having Julia performing remotely is equally illegal as to have her entering the Ukrainian territory.
Трансляція виступу Самойлової українськими телеканалами-це таке ж порушення укр законів, як і її в'їзд до України. ЄМС мала б зважити на це.
— В'ячеслав Кириленко (@KyrylenkoVyach) March 23, 2017
Гастролі та телепередачі за участю персон нон-ґрата в Україні заборонені. Рішення-у зміні учасника від РФ. А позиція ЄМС політизує конкурс.
— В'ячеслав Кириленко (@KyrylenkoVyach) March 23, 2017
According to Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, it makes no difference if the person is present on location or she appears live on the Eurovision show(s), since she’s considered persona non grata.
Furthermore, Kirilenko suggested to Russia that they should pick a participant who has not violated the Ukrainian laws.
ЄМС немає сенсу переконувати Україну змінити своє рішення по Самойловій.Краще переконати Росію заявити учасника,який не порушував укр закони
— В'ячеслав Кириленко (@KyrylenkoVyach) March 22, 2017
Mocking EBU’s idea
In the meantime, EBU’s suggestion to have the Russian representative performing live via satellite, gave ground to the Eurovision fan community to mock the proposal with various memes.
Don't worry. EBU found a solution for Russia 😆
Posted by Eurovision Questions on Thursday, March 23, 2017