Kremlin: Ukraine's ban of Russia's Eurovision participant deals blow to competition

Kremlin hopes that Kiev would reconsider the ban for Russia's 2017 Eurovision participant Yulia Samoilova, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"Undoubtedly, the Ukrainian side's decision seriously devalues the forthcoming contest. It probably strikes a blow the prestige of Eurovision," Sputnik cited Peskov as saying.

The Kremlin spokesman stressed that the decision was made by Kiev and not by the Eurovision organizers.

"We know that the Eurovision representatives have expressed their regrets in connection with this decision," Peskov said.