The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the Eurovision Song Contest, understands that Ukraine responded with disappointment over the choice not to hold the event in the war-torn country next year. However, the organization adheres to the decision that the winning country Ukraine does not currently meet the requirements for organizing the song contest, it reported on Twitter.

The European Broadcasting Union announced last week that it would enter into discussions with the BBC (UK second place) about organizing the song contest. Ukrainian radio UA: PBC demanded new negotiations, because it saw the possibility of organizing the event. British politicians also took part in the discussion and stated that Ukraine should organize a song contest.

With the new statement, the EBU makes it clear that it will not reverse its decision. On Thursday, European Radio will point to the regulations that state that the event can be moved in the event of force majeure, such as war. In addition, the umbrella organization notes that the organization of the song contest for the following year begins almost immediately after the final, which in this case is not possible.

The European Broadcasting Union points out, among other things, the danger of air strikes by aircraft, drones or missiles that can cause a large number of casualties. The umbrella organization also obtained safety advice from third parties, which also showed that the risk of an accident was very high. Furthermore, there were concerns about whether delegates and participants would want to travel to Ukraine at all should the war continue.

The European Broadcasting Union considered whether a song contest at a border location in a neighboring country was feasible, but the locations and infrastructure did not meet the requirements. “So we made the decision, with regret in our hearts, to move to another country,” the EBU said.