“In response to the published statement of the European Broadcasting Union on the impossibility of hosting Eurovision – 2023 in Ukraine, we want to emphasize the following.”
“Ukraine does not agree with the nature of such a decision – when we were confronted with the fact without discussion on other options. But we strongly believe that we have every reason to hold further negotiations in order to find a joint solution that will satisfy all parties.”
“We honestly won Eurovision and have fulfilled all the condition within the deadlines for the process of approving its holding in Ukraine — we have provided answers and guarantees on safety standards and possible venues for the competition.”
“Hosting Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine is a strong signal to the whole world that it supports Ukraine now. We will demand to change this decision, because we believe that we will be able to fulfil all the commitments, as we have repeatedly [emphasised to] the European Broadcasting Union.”
“That is why we demand additional negotiations on hosting Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine.”
Apart from signing the minister’s statement, CEO of Suspilne Mykola Chernotytskyi released another one himself.
“We are disappointed with this decision of the EBU. During this month, a large number of people in Ukraine have thrown all their efforts to fulfil the conditions for holding Eurovision in our country. Security is, of course, our first priority. The team of UA: PBC, state and local authorities did a thorough job and offered different options. It is a pity to see such an unappealable statement, therefore, we ask our partners to hold further negotiations.”
Ukraine had proposed three different possibilities: hosting in Kyiv, Lviv or Zakarpattia. These last two are close to the borders with Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, and have not been under continuous attacks during the war.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 to be held in Ukraine.
“I believe that they (Ukraine) can hold a competition, and I believe that they should do it. In my opinion, Kyiv or any other safe Ukrainian city would be a fantastic place for Eurovision,” Johnson said upon his return from Kyiv.
