Olya Polyakovа Addresses Parliament After Being Barred from Eurovision: What We Know So Far.

Olya Polyakovа Speaks Before Parliamentary Investigative Committee

According to Glamurchik — Шоу-біз: Singer Olya Polyakovа appeared before a temporary investigative committee of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada, chaired by MP Oleksiy Goncharenko. Her testimony centered on being excluded from the national selection for Eurovision 2026. The official reason given by Ukraine's public broadcaster 'Suspilne' for rejecting her application is clause 4.6 of the rules, adopted in 2019. This clause prohibits participation by performers who, after March 15, 2014, gave concerts in Russia or in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.

Controversy Over Selection Rules

Polyakovа argued that these rules are unfair and discriminatory. She emphasized that at the time the clause was introduced, no Ukrainian law—whether criminal or administrative—established liability for such performances. The singer pointed out that in 2016, Jamala, who also performed in Russia in 2014–2015, went on to win the international competition. Polyakovа also noted that Konstantin Meladze served on the national selection jury despite his ongoing work in Russia.

Polyakovа clarified that she visited Russia only once, in early 2015, and that trip was not for a concert but to take part in a TV show.

“My trip to Russia was just once, at the beginning of 2015. And it was not a concert—it was participation in a show,” she stated.

“I stopped working in the Russian market well before the full-scale invasion,” Polyakovа emphasized.

The singer expressed a desire to avoid litigation but said that due to a lack of dialogue with 'Suspilne', she currently sees no other option.

“I would prefer not to take this to court, but because there’s no dialogue with 'Suspilne', I currently see no other way,” she concluded.

This situation highlights the challenges Ukrainian artists face under restrictions tied to Ukraine-Russia relations. At the same time, the debate over Eurovision selection rules may prompt a review of current norms and lead to a more flexible approach for Ukrainian performers seeking to represent their country on international stages. It remains important that such decisions balance historical context with musicians' aspirations to showcase Ukraine globally.