Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is disenchanted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s request to deal with the Eurovision Song Contest was refused, the British chief’s spokesman stated on Friday. The English metropolis of Liverpool is internet hosting the annual tune contest on behalf of 2022’s winner Ukraine, which was not in a position to stage the musical extravaganza, as is customary, due to Russia’s invasion.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) stated on Thursday that whereas Zelenskiy’s request was made with “laudable intentions”, granting it will be towards the non-political nature of the occasion and its guidelines prohibiting making political statements. Last yr, Eurovision’s three reside reveals reached a tv viewers of 161 million. This yr’s closing is on Saturday.

“The prime minister believes it would be fitting for President Zelenskiy to address the event and we are disappointed by the decision,” Sunak’s spokesperson stated. “The value and freedoms that President Zelenskiy and the people of Ukraine are fighting for are not political, they are fundamental. Eurovision themselves recognised that last year when they rightly suspended Russia’s participation from the competition.”

Former prime minister Boris Johnson, who sought to place the UK as Ukraine’s high ally within the West, additionally criticised the transfer on Twitter. Liverpool has opened its coronary heart to Ukraine for Eurovision, flying blue and yellow flags, providing particular tickets to its refugees and adopting its delicacies, along with placing the nation centre stage in three reside reveals.

The EBU stated it had made positive that Ukraine’s music, tradition, and creativity would function strongly all through the reveals, together with with final yr’s winners Kalush Orchestra performing. “We believe that this is the best way to reflect and celebrate Ukraine’s Eurovision Song Contest win and show we are United By Music during these hard times,” the EBU stated.

Claire McColgan, Director of Culture Liverpool, who has been concerned in organising the occasion, informed Times Radio: “It would be fantastic to have a message from Zelenskiy in the city at this time, especially for the people from Ukraine who have come here, wishing it was at home.”

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