According to the Russian News Agency TASS, the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK), Channel One and the Ostankino radio house have announced their withdrawal from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

The statement said:

Channel One, VGTRK and Ostankino radio house announce their withdrawal from the European Broadcasting Union in response to Russia’s exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, which we regard as an inappropriate political sacrifice at a music forum that has always emphasized its non-political status.

On February 25, EBU decided that Russia will not be represented in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, which will be held this year in Turin. The statement of the broadcasters says that the removal of Russia from the contest is far from the first example associated with Eurovision and confirming this non-political status.

The authors of the statement:

Unfortunately, the EBU has turned into a club, whose members are in unequal conditions. And we consider it impossible for us to remain in it further.