Ukrainian singer Olya Polyakova gave testimony at a hearing of the Temporary Investigative Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, where she raised the issue of her rights being violated by the organizers of the national selection for "Eurovision." The artist's appearance before the commission, chaired by Alexey Goncharenko, became a resonant event that shed light on controversial aspects of the contest's regulations.

Discrimination and "retroactive" rules

Polyakova's main grievance was a provision prohibiting performers who had appeared in Russia or temporarily occupied territories after March 15, 2014, from participating in the selection. The singer claims that this rule violates her rights and was introduced unfairly.

"No law of Ukraine established liability for such performances at the time this rule was introduced. This provision appeared retroactively only in 2019 and was applied very selectively," the artist stated, commenting on the situation.

Examples of selective approach

As evidence of double standards, Polyakova cited examples of colleagues whose careers were not hindered by similar performances:

  • Jamala: The winner of the 2016 National Selection, who performed in Russia in 2014–2015, successfully represented Ukraine in the international contest and won.
  • Konstantin Meladze: A producer who participated in the National Selection in 2017, who not only worked in the Russian Federation but continues to work there to this day.

Personal experience and contract termination

Olya Polyakova also commented on her experience in Russia, which became the reason for her disqualification. She clarified that her trip took place only once at the beginning of 2015. It was not a concert, but participation in a show.

"After this trip, I terminated the contract, paid the penalty, and that show didn't even air because I stopped filming there. I already understood everything about them back then," the singer noted.

Threat of lawsuit and hidden names

Polyakova expressed dissatisfaction that Suspilne Media made the decision on the rules without broad public discussion, calling it incorrect and discriminatory. In her opinion, the current rules place artists who refused the Russian market before the start of the full-scale war in unequal conditions.

The artist emphasized that she is not the only one in such a situation, pointing to the "entire top echelon" of musicians deprived of the right to participate, although she did not name specific individuals. Although the singer initially did not plan to take the conflict to court, she now sees this as the only way out.

Recall that a few days before the hearing, Olya Polyakova showed an official invitation from the VSK without revealing the reasons for the summons. It is now clear that the reason was indeed the issue of participation in the national selection.