‘Nul points’ for Zelensky speech offer

Rishi Sunak is “disappointed” by the decision of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to block Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky from addressing the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest.

The body, which produces the event, said on Thursday night that it had declined Mr Zelensky’s request to speak on Saturday over fears it could politicise the contest.

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.

On Friday, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “The prime minister believes it would be fitting for President Zelensky to address the event and we’re disappointed by the decision from the European Broadcasting Union.

“The values and freedoms that President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine are fighting for are not political, they’re fundamental, and Eurovision themselves recognised that last year when they rightly suspended Russia’s participation from the competition.”

In its statement on Thursday, the EBU noted that 11 Ukrainian artists, including last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra, are performing and 37 locations from around Ukraine are being shown.

The BBC has said the broadcast of this year’s contest is expected to be watched by more than 160 million viewers worldwide.

Yesterday, BBC Eurovision commentator Rylan Clark stressed the contest was non-political.

Mr Clark said: “At the end of the day we are commentators so we don’t get involved in show format. I just think Eurovision, people say it is political – votes here, votes there.

“From being on the inside it is the least political experience you could ever have, actually.”

Mr Clark, who provided TV commentary for the two semi-finals this week and will host radio coverage of the grand final, also stressed that as last year’s winner, Ukraine and its culture were being celebrated across Liverpool.

Mr Clark said: “Ukraine, this is their party in our country.”

Kalush Orchestra won last year’s contest but, owing to the Russian invasion of the country, hosting duties were awarded to the runner-up, the UK.

The Eurovision grand final airs live on BBC One tonight.

Volodymyr Zelensky.