The BBC is the broadcaster of the song festival and will collaborate with Ukrainian channel UA:PBC to incorporate elements from Ukraine into the show.
Ukraine has won the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. The band Kalush received the most points for their song “Stefania”, but it was immediately questioned whether the event could be held in the country, given the Russian invasion of the country.
The UK came in second place at this year’s event. Sam Ryder and his song “Space Man” did not receive enough points from the judges and viewers to take first place.
After winning in Turin in May, the Ukrainian Broadcasting Corporation expressed its intention to organize the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in its country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky even expressed his hope that he would be able to receive delegations of the next edition in the liberated Mariupol.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) had previously announced that the Eurovision Song Contest would not be organized by Ukraine next year. The European Broadcasting Union said in a statement that extensive discussions had been held with UA:PBC and that research had been conducted into the possibilities of continuing to organize the song festival.
“It is with deep regret that we announce that under the current circumstances, the Ukrainian Broadcasting Corporation is unable to provide the necessary security and operational capabilities for the Eurovision Song Contest,” the organization wrote.
