Main points
- Yevhen Pronin stated that Ruslana violated the rules of impartiality by campaigning for LELÉKA during the National Selection for Eurovision 2026.
- The public broadcaster stated that Ruslana's comment did not violate the rules, but Pronin believes that it influenced the audience vote.
Ruslana, Yevhen Pronin, LELÉKA / Collage of Channel 24
The long-awaited final of the National Selection for Eurovision-2026 took place on December 7, but discussions on the Internet do not subside. Users, in particular, are expressing their views on the scandal surrounding Ruslana, who was among the jury members.
During the broadcast, Ruslana publicly called for votes for LELÉKA, who eventually won, which led to the artist being accused of violating the rules. Famous lawyer Yevgeny Pronin responded to the incident on his Telegram channel.
Yevhen Pronin admitted that he is glad that LELÉKA will represent Ukraine at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest. The lawyer believes that the singer's “honest, lively and very ethnic vibe” may resonate with Europe.
However, Ruslana's direct campaigning as a member of the jury breaks the perception of the jury as an impartial institution. A judge cannot be an open supporter and a direct campaigner. This puts other participants on an unequal footing,
– Pronin said.
The lawyer was also confused by the Public's comment on the incident. The broadcaster wrote that Ruslana's words about LELÉKA do not violate the rules of the National Eurovision Selection and are her personal position.
A personal position expressed by a jury member in the form of direct campaigning is a violation of the principles of the competitive process and impartiality and affects the audience vote,
– explained Eugene.
Pronin believes that Ruslana “violated the principles of impartiality and competition, which should be guaranteed for all participants.”
Let us remind you that earlier in Threads, Yevhen asked his subscribers whether it was worth making a lawyer's request to the organizer of the National Selection for Eurovision, asking whether Ruslana violated the rules by campaigning for LELÉKA.
What did Ruslana say?
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In the final of the National Selection for Eurovision-2026, Ruslana publicly supported LELÉKA, which sparked a discussion online. Many users were outraged by the artist's direct campaigning.
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“In conditions of war, we need something that can do more than weapons: we need to get into people's hearts. We have an idea, we have a note, we have a style and a potential future art-pop hit. We can give a message, an impulse that Ukraine will take off. It is already taking off. I can say: they are (trumps, – 24 Channel). Here they are, for me this is a musical phenomenon, and I believe that we have a nugget. I urge you all to choose LELÉKA for Eurovision in Vienna,” Ruslana said on the air, but she has not commented on the scandal yet.