As we all know, Maruv won this year’s edition of Vidbir, and should go on to represent Ukraine in the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. However, due to the political situation in the country, and due to Maruv’s connections to Russia (tours, concerts, a contract with Universal Music Russia), her Eurovision participation is pending on signing a contract with the Ukrainian national television UA:PBC.

Maruv has now shared more information on the contract itself, but also on the way she sees the entire situation.

The last 24 hours have been the most emotional in my life.
I have won an honest victory in the national preselection for Eurovision 2019, receiving maximum support from the viewers and high points from the jury members. But now they want to take away our victory.

I am Ukrainian, I love my country and I’m proud to represent Ukraine in Tel Aviv at Eurovision 2019, despite the fact that in a day I received proposals from three different countries to represent them. But my answer is categorical – I perform for Ukraine and no way else!
You probably have already heard about the contract between the participant from Ukraine and UA:PBC, which should be signed today before lunch.

I’m ready to give up on my performances in Russia. In the live show I answered all the questions that the jury was interested in. I haven’t visited Crimea since 2014 and I did not violate a single law of Ukraine. And also I’m ready to take on all of the costs of participation in the international competition.

And now about the contract itself, which requires the following:

1. I am banned from any improvisation on the stage without the approval of the UA:PBC. (inconsistent splits, for example, will lead to a fine of 2 million UAH)

2. Immediate copyright transfer to a song belonging to the world Warner Music (I knew about these before the competition started)

3. Clearly fulfill any requirements and indications of UA:PBC. (in theory, I can be forced to dance at the birthday party of some vice-Premiere, and in case of refusal, I will be fined and fined again to pay a fine of 2 million UAH. Plus compensate for the alleged losses!)

4. Ban on communication with journalists without harmonization with UA:PBC. (which completely violates the freedom of speech and human rights)

And there’s still a lot of things to do.

In Case of a violation of one of the points, a fine of 2 million UAH and compensation of losses is to be accounted.

In return, I don’t receive anything from UA:PBC: neither a penny of financial support, nor assistance in the organization of the trip, nor, even more, international promo support. Even the visa I have to do by myself.

Although there are only a few points of responsibilities’s duties in the contract:

1. Give me hints regarding the rules of the contest.

2. With the permission of UA:PBC I can take with myself 10 people at our own expense.

3. Adhere to the terms of this contract.

I feel the pressure! And I see obvious attempts to make me refuse to represent my country at the international contest Eurovision 2019. I ask for your support, support to the press and independent journalists who are not ready to perform under someone’s order.

The contract signing is due today, so stay tuned to ESCBubble for all the latest information from Ukraine. In the meantime, listen to Maruv’s “Siren Song” right here: