Russian Eurovision 2017 contestant may be denied entry to Ukraine

Yesterday Channel One of Russia finally announced who would represent the country at the Eurovision 2017 song contest in Kyiv. The choice fell on Yulia Samoilova, a woman with a disability.

Presumably, such an unusual choice was made on the assumption that the performer would be pitied and could secure a high position in the contest. However, Russia apparently forgot that in Europe, people with disabilities are considered full members of society and are treated as equals. Yulia is not the first contestant with a disability; previously, none of such participants managed to secure a high position.

In addition, it is not ruled out that the woman will be denied entry to the country by the SBU as she visited the territory of occupied Crimea.