Zelensky just calls up every single major entertainment event on earth and demands a right to show up in a green sweatshirt and guilt trip the audience about how he needs more money because he is like Tony Stark leading the Avengers against Thanos.
Tolerance levels for this have dropped significantly.
RT:
The organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest have turned down Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s request for a video address before the finals on Saturday. According to a statement quoted by British media, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) does not wish to politicize the event.
The Ukrainian leader had hoped to address an audience estimated at 160 million and appeal for support in the conflict with Russia.
Zelensky’s request, “whilst made with laudable intentions, regrettably cannot be granted as it would be against the rules of the event,” the EBU said in a statement. They added that the contest is “governed by strict rules and principles which have been established since its creation,” one of the most important being the event’s “non-political nature.”
The EBU is an alliance of more than 100 broadcasters which runs the annual music competition. Traditionally, it is hosted by the country that wins the previous year’s contest. Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 event held in Italy, but Kiev could not take on hosting duties due to the conflict, so the honors went to the UK as the second-place finisher.
Yeah, they literally gave the prize to the Ukraine last year to honor their war effort (which is not how a competition like this is supposed to work, and certainly does not jibe with not wanting to politicize the event).
But they’re just like: “listen man, this event is depressing enough without having you show up in your green sweatshirt to whine about how you’re like the Avengers.”