The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) declined a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to make a political statement during the Eurovision Song Contest's Grand Final.
The EBU, which produces the contest, said on Thursday night that it had declined Mr Zelensky's request to speak to the event's audience tonight. He had wanted to make an unannounced video appearance and had been expected to implore the global audience of millions to continue backing his country in its fight to repel Russian invaders.
The EBU said Mr Zelensky had "laudable intentions" but "regrettably" his request was against the rules.
