Today, YLE have officially called on the EBU to exclude Russia from Eurovision, specifically because of its invasion of Ukraine. YLE went further than the other national broadcasters and said it does not intend to participate in Eurovision this year if Russia is invited.

YLE’s Director of Creative Content Ville Vilén had this to say about their decision to potentially withdraw:

“Russia’s attack on Ukraine runs counter to all the values ​​that YLE and other European broadcasters represent. YLE always defends Western democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and human dignity. YLE cannot take part in an event where Russia, which has blatantly attacked these values, can use one of Europe’s best-known brands to advance its own interests. I hope that the EBU will act in accordance with its values ​​here.”

Of course, the timing of this decision could not be worse. Finland is due to select its artist and song for Eurovision at their national final – Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) – this Saturday, 26th February in Turku. The live broadcast of UMK will be shown on YLE TV1 and Yle Areena at 20:00 CET.

When it comes to this weekend’s UMK, Vilén had this to say:

“YLE’s UMK has been successfully bringing out new domestic music for ten years. We will have some great songs and artists in the finals this year as well. I believe and hope that one of them will have the opportunity to perform for the whole of Europe in May.”