— We simply will not meet the criteria that currently define Eurovision participants, which are, frankly, nothing other than outright Satanism — Sergei Lavrov during a press conference after talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Equatorial Guinea.
His comments came after Eurovision director Martin Green said on Friday that Russia could “theoretically” be allowed again for a future competition. The European Broadcasting Union has banned Russia from Eurovision after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Instead of seeking a return, Lavrov pointed to a revival of the Soviet-era Intervision Song Contest as a culturally appropriate alternative consistent with “traditional values.”
Vladimir Putin's speech on screen during the Intervision competition in Moscow, September 20, 2025.EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV / PAP
— Intervision was born precisely in the context of this type of unification of the traditional art of the countries included in the BRICS alliance, said Lavrov, referring to the economic bloc formed by Russia, China, India and Brazil.
Many Russian artists have performed at Eurovision over the years, including Alla Pugacheva, Filip Kirkorov, Little Big and Manizha. Vocalist Dima Bilan remains the only winner of this competition from Russia — won the title in 2008 with the song “Believe”.
The jubilee 70th edition of the competition in Vienna was won by the Bulgarian singer Dara.
