Eurovision Song Contest

[ThinWomansBrain]

Is it me, or is the sanction of banning Russia from Eurovision not exactly going to have Putin quaking in his boots, let alone turning back tanks and fighter jets?

I'm not suggesting they should be able to compete - but the package of sanctions to date seem a bit feeble.

Is it a sanction? I thought it was just the Eurovision people decided it wasn't the best idea for them to come along.

What else can they do? Send tanks with glitter balls? They are Eurovision not the marines. The only thing they can do is ban them or not ban them and they’ve banned them which is the right thing to do out of the very limited options available to them to show their opposition.

I'm just gutted we will definitely be the only country with nil points.

We might have come second to last if Russia were there.

It’s not a sanction, it’s a decision by the broadcasters who fund the Eurovision. It’s a symbolic statement in the same way as personally boycotting Nestle or products from other countries with dubious records on human rights.

Did you think the governments had decreed this?

They're cutting Russia off from everything. Obviously the Eurovision alone wouldn't matter. Don't be obtuse.

Eh, have they just changed their minds? I read a few hours ago that they wouldn't be banned, as it's (allegedly) a cultural and not a political contest.

Wasn't one country's entry banned a few years ago, because it was deemed political? The title was something like 'We Don't Wanna Put In' (geddit?!)? They weren't wrong, though, were they....

And you really think the Eurovision could allow them to compete after what they've done? Of course they've been banned! It's not meant to be a sanction to persuade them to pull out of a war, it's a minor consequence of their actions.

It can't hurt. Russia always makes a massive effort with Eurovision so I assume it's popular there. It may well add to the balance of popular opinion against Putin.

@ThinWomansBrain

Is it me, or is the sanction of banning Russia from Eurovision not exactly going to have Putin quaking in his boots, let alone turning back tanks and fighter jets?

I'm not suggesting they should be able to compete - but the package of sanctions to date seem a bit feeble.

Do you honestly believe this was an EU issued sanction?

Oh goody, another Ukraine/Russia thread to hide!

But in the mean time, something meaningful, like cutting off the SWIFT payment system - is still being debated

Well the alternative is that Eurovision says 'we aren't banning Russia because we think our displeasure at their actions won;t affect them in any way' of course it won;t but that doesn't mean outrage shouldn't be expressed. Similar to the Champions League final.
It is important to outcast countries who commit disgusting acts of aggression socially and culturally as well as economically. It shows universal dispproval and to not do it would imply approval or disinterest.

It just would have sent the wrong message if Russia were allowed to compete, besides the risk of ugly scenes. Nothing to do with alarming Putin.

This way everyone can vote for Ukraine and yes, Eurovision is trivial, but it has a voice.

It's sending a message though, that the world is not going to sit and watch what Russia are doing.
Ok, it won't make a difference in reality but all these small, seemingly innocuous, actions at up. A bit like death by a thousand paper cuts (or whatever the phrase is).

@BearOfEasttown

Oh goody, another Ukraine/Russia thread to hide!

Or just not open 🙄

The OP is right. F1 as well have not done anything bar stopping the Russia GP. Why haven't they sent Lewis Hamilton to Kyiv to fight?!

Oh goody, another Ukraine/Russia thread to hide!

Yes how utterly inconvenient and selfish for Ukraine to get itself invaded by a maniac and bore everyone to tears. I agree - lets never mention massive world affecting events ever again. Anyone for a chat about nail varnish ?

@BearOfEasttown

Oh goody, another Ukraine/Russia thread to hide!

You keep commenting on every one of these threads, with the same ridiculous comment. Just don't bloody open it. No one gives a shit if you want to hide it or not!

@ThinWomansBrain

But in the mean time, something meaningful, like cutting off the SWIFT payment system - is still being debated

Probably not decided by the same people I'd imagine. Unless Graham Norton is on the COBRA committee.

I agree that the sanctions seem limited and nowhere near enough. Though cultural sanctions are to be welcomed, denying a country an opportunity to present itself as a normal society and promote itself.

I've been at Eurovision when Russia were roundly booed. And came a healthy 7th.

(Invariably the UK gets a great reception "on the ground" and then nothing points-wise.)

Anyway, this wasn't about punishing Russia, this was about appeasing other members, particularly Russia's neighbours. I'd like to see Azerbaijan go the same way.

The whole point of Euro is to show friendship and share culture (even if we always get zero) of course they are going say they can’t attend what message would that send? Putin will not care but to allow it would do more harm than good

Perhaps they should arm Graham Norton with an uzi and send him to take out Putin?

Ukraine will win the Eurovision. They could enter the shittest song ever, and would still win.