By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday expressed disappointment at the European Broadcasting Union's decision to disallow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from addressing the Eurovision song contest final.
The Union rejected the Ukrainian leader's video appearance due to concerns about the potential politicization of competition.
Sunak’s spokesman told reporters that the British prime minister believes that Zelenskyy's speech was important in highlighting Ukraine's fight for fundamental values and freedoms.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson also expressed support for hearing from the Ukrainian leader.
Ukraine won the competition in 2022 and was scheduled to host it this year.
But after the war with Russia broke out, the UK agreed to host the event and said it will honor Ukrainian culture and people as a mark of solidarity.
Nearly 3,000 tickets will be available for displaced Ukrainians and the UK announced £10 million ($12 million) in funding to “help ensure the event truly showcases Ukrainian culture."