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Ukraine's Entry Ban to Russian Contestant 'Blow' to Eurovision - Kremlin

© Sputnik / Alexey Filippov / Go to the mediabankSinger Yulia Samoilova, Russia's representative at Eurovision 2017, at Sheremetyevo International Airport
Singer Yulia Samoilova, Russia's representative at Eurovision 2017, at Sheremetyevo International Airport - Sputnik International
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Ukraine's entry ban for Russia's 2017 Eurovision song contest participant aimed at blowing the competition, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.

Singer Yulia Samoilova, Russia's Eurovision 2017 contestant, and her husband, Alexei Taran, at Sheremetyevo Airport - Sputnik International
Russia
Russian 2017 Eurovision Participant Samoilova Denied Entry to Ukraine
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Ukraine's entry ban for Russia's 2017 Eurovision song contest participant Yulia Samoilova deals a blow to the competition, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.

"Undoubtedly, the Ukrainian side's decision seriously devalues the forthcoming contest. It probably strikes a blow the prestige of Eurovision," Peskov told reporters.

He expressed hope that Kiev would reconsider the three-year ban handed down to Samilova on Wednesday ahead of the contest.

Singer Yulia Samoilova - Sputnik International
Russia
Entry Ban for Russian Eurovision Participant 'Shows What Kiev Authorities Are'
The Kremlin spokesman stressed that the decision was made by Kiev and not by the Eurovision organizers.

"We know that the Eurovision representatives have expressed their regrets in connection with this decision," Peskov said.

On Wednesday, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) banned entry to the country for three years for Samoilova, citing the alleged "violation by her of the Ukrainian legislation." The Russian singer visited Crimea in 2015 with a concert without obtaining a permit from the Ukrainian authorities. In accordance with the country's law, Ukraine may ban entry for foreigners who had visited post-referendum Crimea without a permit from Kiev.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has issued a statement saying that it is working on ensuring that all participants could take part in the upcoming competition.

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