Boris Johnson has expressed hope that Ukraine will get to host the Eurovision Song Contest next year, despite the organisers of the contest ruling out the possibility of such.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) - which organises the contest each year - recently stated that it "cannot be held" in Ukraine next year, after assessing this possibility.
Ukraine won this year's contest with its act Kalush Orchestra but organisers said that it won't be able to host the show in 2023, in light of the invasion of the country by Russia.
It has been announced that the UK is being considered to host the contest next year instead, but our Prime Minister has said he hopes the competition will go ahead in Ukraine.
He shared his thoughts following an unannounced visit to Kyiv this week, with him stating: "I won't say it is completely jiving and buzzing and popping but it is far, far more lively."
Johnson said that people are "much more confident" and are out in the streets in a way that they hadn't been even a few weeks ago - proposing the contest be held in Ukraine.
He commented about it: "The Ukrainians won the Eurovision Song Contest. I know we had a fantastic entry, I know we came second and I'd love it to be in this country."
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He added: "They won and deserve to have it. I believe they can have it and that they should have it. I believe Kyiv or any other safe city would be a fantastic place to to have it."
Johnson further commented: "I hope [the EBU] will recognise that. I don't think it's right. This thing's a year away. It's going to be fine by the time [Eurovision] comes round."
The EBU issued a statement on next year's contest earlier this week, confirming that an "assessment and feasibility study" were held into the possibility of Ukraine hosting.
It said following "objective analysis," it had been concluded that, given the current circumstances, the "security and operational guarantees required" could not be fulfilled.
The EBU suggested that the decision had been in light of the "complex" production of the international contest, which it said needs around 12 months of preparation time.
It seems that although circumstances in Ukraine may be much different in May next year - when the contest is held - preparations would likely need to begin quite soon.
The Mirror approached the EBU for comment.
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