The decision to deny Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky the chance to speak at tonight’s Eurovision Song Contest final in Liverpool has been met with disappointment from senior political figures across the country.
The grand final of the event takes place at the M&S Bank Arena later today with millions of viewers around the world expected to tune in to the showpiece occasion. The event has been a celebration of Ukrainian culture and tradition due to the nation's inability to host as last year's winners due to Russia’s full scale invasion last February.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky had hoped to make a video appearance at the competition and had been expected to call for continued support in backing his country’s fight against Russian invasion. However the European Broadcast Union, which organises the event, said Mr Zelensky had “laudable intentions” but “regrettably” his plan to address the audience was against the rules.
