The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has released a statement following UA:PBC’s withdrawal from the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv.
Earlier today Ukraine officially withdrew its participation from the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest following the controversy marring its national final and Maruv’s refusal to sign an agreement in order to represent the country in Tel Aviv.
Herefater the Ukrainian broadcaster approached the acts who placed 2nd (Freedom Jazz) and 3rd (Kazka) in the national final in order to fly to Tel Aviv, but failed to come to an agreement with them too.
The EBU released the following statement regarding this issue:
Each participating broadcaster is responsible for the selection of their act for the Eurovision Song Contest in accordance to the rules set out by the European Broadcasting Union.
It is with sadness that the EBU can confirm that Ukraine’s broadcaster UA:PBC has informed the EBU that, following further discussions, they have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.
There will be further discussions between the EBU and UA:PBC on this matter but we hope to see them again in 2020. However, for now, we look forward to what is already shaping up to be a fantastic event in Tel Aviv in May.
After Ukraine’s withdrawal we will see 41 countries participate at the forthcoming 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv.
Ukraine in Eurovision
Ukraine debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 with Oleksandr Ponormayov‘s Hasta la vista, and has won the competition twice in 2004 (Ruslana) and 2016 (Jamala). The country has hosted the contest twice in its majestic capital Kyiv in 2005 and 2017.
Ukraine is one of the most successful countries in the Eurovision Song Contest and has so far not missed out competing in the Grand Final. The Eastern European nation has competed in Europe’s favourite television show every year since its debut with the exception of 2015 when the country withdrew from the competition.
The Ukraians have made it 9 times in the top 10 of the leader board in their 15 ESC participations, including 2 victories ( 2004, 2016), 2 2nd placings (2007, 2008), 1 3rd placing (2013) and 4th placing (2011).
In 2018 Ukraine selected its Eurovision act via its epic national selection Vidbir, Melovin was crowned the winner and won the golden ticket to Lisbon with his entry Under the ladder, achieving a 17th place in the Grand Final.
