“I think that in a country where there is a war, it is inappropriate to spend money on selections. I think it would be possible to choose a strong artist without a national selection,” she said.
This is not the first time Polyakova has criticized the organizers of the Ukrainian national selection. The singer herself cannot participate in the national selection for Eurovision, since in 2015 she traveled to the aggressor country of the Russian Federation.
On October 16, 2025, Polyakova stated that sent the song to the national selection and is waiting for a “fair decision” from the organizers. She added that the restrictions that apply to artists who performed after 2014 in the aggressor country of the Russian Federation “have lost their meaning and violate the principles of equality.” The singer also gave the organizers of the Ukrainian national selection an ultimatum – if they do not change the rules, she will go to court.
October 20 singer stressed that she is ready to finance herself their participation in the national selection. October 21 “Suspilne” refused to change the rules.
On October 23, the singer’s producer Mikhail Yasinsky announced that sent to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) complaint against Suspilne. He added that another letter with an ultimatum was sent to Suspilny. In it, Polyakova’s team once again demanded that the national selection rules be changed so that the singer could take part in the competition.
Context
Singer Leleka with the song Ridnym won the national selection and will represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2026. The jury members gave the singer the maximum 10 points, and she also received 10 points from the audience.
