The European Broadcasting Union has confirmed that Russia will still be allowed to take part in this year's Eurovision Song Contest despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Major countries around the world have reacted with shock and condemnation after Russian president Vladimir Putin launched a military invasion of Ukraine in the early hours of this morning, leaving millions of lives in the balance.
St Petersburg is likely to be stripped of hosting the Champions League final in May as a result, while there have been calls for Russia to be banned from participating in a wide range of other events, including Eurovision.
In a statement, however, the EBU said: "The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political cultural event which unites nations and celebrates diversity through music.
"The EBU's public broadcaster members in both Russia and Ukraine have committed to participating in this year's event in Turin and we are currently planning to welcome artists from both countries to perform in May."
This year's contest will be held in Turin, Italy from May 10 to May 14.
Neil Wilkes
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