Olia Polyakova Advocates for Revision of Eurovision 2026 National Selection Rules: Can Changes Bring Fairness?
Ukrainian pop star Olia Polyakova unexpectedly addressed the National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine ‘Suspilne Mova’ with an official letter, expressing her desire to amend the rules governing the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
In her appeal, she emphasized the necessity of updating certain provisions to better reflect Ukraine’s current realities and provide equal opportunities for all artists across the country.
According to official information sent on October 16, 2025, Polyakova highlighted that the rules should evolve in tandem with the country’s development and that every artist living, working, and creating in Ukraine should have an equal right to represent the nation on the international stage.
Meanwhile, ‘Suspilne’ firmly stated that once the selection process has started, the established rules cannot be changed mid-way, as doing so would undermine the competition’s integrity.
The national selection for Eurovision 2026 began on September 3, 2025, and will proceed according to the approved regulations.
The broadcaster stressed their appreciation for every Ukrainian artist’s contribution to cultural development and support for Ukraine’s defense, but also reaffirmed that the date of the start of the war remains unchanged and cannot be altered due to individual stories or achievements.
They further explained that the selection systems vary by country, and Ukraine maintains an open format to allow broader participation from citizens, not only a select circle of performers.
It was also confirmed that Ukraine has officially confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026.
Although Polyakova initially did not specify which rule she seeks to change, it is presumed she refers to paragraph 4.6, which prohibits participation of artists who performed in Russia or occupied territories after March 15, 2014, as well as in Belarus after February 24, 2022.
During a live Instagram broadcast, Polyakova reaffirmed her request to revisit this specific rule, stating that restrictions on performances in Russia have lost their sense and contradict the principle of equality.
She noted that the last time she performed in Russia was in May 2015 at the RU.TV awards, where she appeared in a kokoshnik with a trident emblem.
The singer also declared her readiness to seek legal action if ‘Suspilne’ does not amend the rules accordingly.
Besides these considerations, Eurovision organizers have postponed voting regarding Israel’s participation and noted that Austria might refuse to host Eurovision 2026.
In addition to performance restrictions concerning aggressor countries, the rules for the national selection include provisions against publicly supporting discrimination, hatred, or regimes violating human rights or territorial integrity.
Participants are also expected to avoid politicization and unethical conduct that could discredit the contest.
A new requirement introduced this year stipulates that Ukrainian participants cannot compete for other countries in national selections.
The Eurovision Song Contest’s 70th edition will take place in Vienna, with semi-finals scheduled for May 12 and 14, and the final on May 16, 2026.
The contest will return to Austria after the victory of JJ with the song ‘Wasted Love,’ inspired by pro-Putin supporter Anna Netrebko.