Russia banned from taking part in this year's Eurovision amid invasion of Ukraine

ok.co.uk:

The Eurovision Song Contest has made the decision not to allow any Russian contestants to take part in this year's Song Contest.The world has watched in horror as Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine this week, with explosions heard across major cities.

And just hours after saying Russia was still able to enter, European Broadcasting Union has followed a recommendation by the Eurovision Song Contest's governing body to disallow the entry of any Russian acts during this year's competition, set to be held in Turin, Italy, in May.

In a statement, the EBU wrote: "The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced that no Russian act will participate in this year's Eurovision Song Contest." Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter It was continued: "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 Reference Group recommendation was also supported by the EBU's Television Committee.The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year's Contest would bring the competition into disrepute.