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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Nadeem Badshah

Eurovision organisers rebuff Zelenskiy request to give video speech at final

EBU Volodymyr Zelenksyy Eurovision United Kingdom
Ukrainian singer Mariya Yaremchuk backed by dancers
Ukrainian singer Mariya Yaremchuk in the second semi-final of the Eurovision song contest at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on 11 May. Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA

The owners of the Eurovision song contest have turned down a request from Volodymyr Zelenskiy to make a video appearance during the final on Saturday in Liverpool.

The Ukrainian president had hoped to appeal to the global audience of about 160 million people to continue their support for his country in the war with Russia.

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