Political issues and travel ban Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017
on 13 march 2017, revealed ukrainian officials had begun investigation samoylova, alleging in 2015, had illegally traveled directly crimea, region annexed russia in 2014, give performance. ukrainian legislation requires visitors enter region through points under control of ukrainian government, or risk being banned entering ukraine several years. in response these actions, speculated russia s choice of samoylova may have been deliberate political statement, having knowingly picked singer had performed in disputed territory; interior minister advisor anton gerashchenko stated couldn t exclude actions taken our side deny entry if russia using entry provocation , while deputy director of atr, ukrainian television broadcaster serves crimean tatar population, argued cynical , immoral move . russia has denied choice of performer meant political statement. on 22 march 2017, security service of ukraine (sbu) confirmed samoylova had been banned entering ukraine 3 years illegally travelling ...