Russia’s 2017 Eurovision contestant has been banned from entering Ukraine to take part in the contest after it emerged she had previously performed in Crimea.
Former Russian X-Factor competitor Julia Samoilova had been due to represent the country at the contest in Kiev in May with her ballad Flame Is Burning.
However, Ukraine’s SBU security service has now slapped a ban on her on account of what it calls her ‘illegal’ visit to the territory, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014.
According to the BBC, over 140 other Russian artists have also been blacklisted in the wake of the annexation and the subsequent fighting in the east of the country.
European Broadcasting Union reps confirmed the news, saying they were ‘deeply disappointed’ by the ruling.