Citing its rules and values, the Eurovision Song Contest has barred Russia from this year's event because its participation could bring "disrepute" to the competition.
The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the international music competition, said that "no Russian act will participate" in the contest following the country's invasion of Ukraine this week. However, Russia has not yet announced an entrant for the glitzy contest.
"The Executive Board of the EBU made the decision following a recommendation earlier today by the Eurovision Song Contest's governing body, the Reference Group, based on the rules of the event and the values of the EBU," the group said in a statement Friday.
