President Zelensky said he would have preferred the contest to be held in a neighbouring countryRishi Sunak believes President Zelensky should be allowed to address the Eurovision Song Contest and rejected the suggestion that the Ukrainian leader’s message would breach political impartiality rules. The prime minister believes the “values and freedoms that President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine are fighting for are not political, they’re fundamental”, No 10 said. SponsoredSunak’s deputy spokesman said the PM thought an address from Zelensky would be “fitting” and he was “disappointed” he had not been allowed to speak. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which oversees the contest with the BBC acting as this year’s host, has barred Zelensky from making a video address during Saturday’s final. He said: “The prime minister thinks it would be fitting for President Zelensky to address the event

Source: The Times May 11, 2023 21:51 UTC