UA:PBC have revealed they have begun their consultations with the EBU over hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in the country, following a press conference held earlier today in Lviv.
The head of the broadcaster’s managing board, Mykola Chernotytski, has stated that the broadcaster will “do all it’s best to host the Eurovision Song Contest”. Ukraine’s head of delegation Oksana Skybinska handed over the documentation from the EBU regarding hosting at the conference.
Detailing the negotiations, mostly surrounding security guarantees, Chernotytski noted “We are doing our best, and I hope that the state will also support us in holding the Eurovision Song Contest here. I hope that the Eurovision Song Contest will be held in peaceful Ukraine.”
“However, I am saying once again that the security factor is important and the final decision will be taken together with the European Broadcasting Union. It will be a difficult negotiation, I am already sure of that.”
Chernotytski also notes that difficult negotiations were had in a similar vein ahead of Kyiv’s successful hosting of the 2017 contest, and advised that Ukraine pledged a guarantee of €15 million to be used by another country to host in case the contest needed to be moved.
Oleh Psiuk, lead singer of Eurovision 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra, added “Many countries have already conveyed the message that they can host the Eurovision Song Contest if we do not succeed. But I hope that we will host the Eurovision Song Contest in a happy, rebuilt and strong country.”
Ukraine will by tradition have the first refusal of hosting Eurovision 2023 after Kalush Orchestra’s victory on Saturday and hope to host for the third time after 2005 and 2017. Spain, Sweden, Poland and Italy’s broadcasters have all offered to act as host in the event that Ukraine is unable to host.
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