Ukraine bans Russian Eurovision contender
Singer Yulia Samoylova barred from May's contest in Kiev for visiting Russian-annexed Crimea in 2015

Ukraine has banned Russia's Eurovision contender from entering the country for this year's competition in Kiev.
Wheelchair-bound singer Yulia Samoylova will not be allowed to compete in May's contest because of her unauthorised entry into Russian-annexed Crimea in 2015, Ukrainian security services said yesterday.
Samoylova entered the peninusula, which was seized by Moscow in 2014, directly through Russia. Ukrainian law stipulates entry into the region must be made through Ukraine and as such, has the power to ban the singer.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Moscow condemned the decision as "another outrageous, cynical and inhumane act" by the authorities in Kiev.
Eurovision organisers said they were "deeply disappointed" by the move, adding that it "goes against both the spirit of the contest and the notion of inclusivity that lies at the heart of its values".
The Financial Times warns that further political disputes are likely.
"Ukrainian officials have also threatened to ban Armenia's entry, Artsvik Harutyunyan, over a concert she gave in Crimea," the newspaper reports.
This is the second year running in which Eurovision has been hit by Crimea-linked controversy, writes The Guardian.
Ukrainian contestant Jamala won last year's competition in Sweden with a politically charged song about the deportation of Crimeans under Joseph Stalin.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Is Europe's defence too reliant on the US?
Today's Big Question As the UK and EU plan to 're-arm', how easy will it be to disentangle from US equipment and support?
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
The end of leasehold flats
The Explainer Government reforms will give homeowners greater control under a move to the commonhold system
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
What to do if your phone is stolen
The Explainer An average of 180 phones is stolen every day in London, the 'phone-snatching capital of Europe'
By Felicity Capon Published
-
Ukraine goes all out to woo young people into the army
Under The Radar New recruitment drive offers perks as morale and numbers fall
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's mineral riches and Trump's shakedown diplomacy
The Explainer President's demand for half of Kyiv's resources in return for past military aid amounts to 'mafia blackmail tactics' and 'colonialism'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Munich Security Conference: will spectre of appeasement haunt old world order?
Today's Big Question Trump's talks with Putin threaten the international rules-based order, say critics
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Russia frees US teacher Marc Fogel in murky 'exchange'
Speed Read He was detained in Moscow for carrying medically prescribed marijuana
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
By The Week Staff Published
-
Ukraine captures first North Korean soldiers
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted videos of the men captured in Russia's Kursk region
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine goes on offense in Russia's Kursk region
Speed Read A top adviser to President Zelenskyy said "the Russians are getting what they deserve"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cuts off Russian gas pipeline to Europe
Speed Read Ukraine has halted the transport of Russian gas to Europe after a key deal with Moscow expired
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published