Ukraine has pulled out of the 'Eurovision Song Contest' 2019 after their contestant quit the show.
Maruv
Pop singer Maruv - who won the country's public vote with her track 'Siren Song' - dropped out of the competition following a row with the national broadcaster after it imposed certain clauses, including a ban on concerts in Russia.
The 27-year-old singer was asked to sign a contract stating she would not play concerts in Russia in the lead-up to the contest, but Maruv - who's real name Anna Korsun - explained that although she was willing to accept this condition, the other rules would have made her a spokesperson for propaganda.
Broadcaster UA:PBC said in a statement: "Given the current situation, and following Ukrainian law on public broadcasting, as well as conditions of excessive politicisation of the national selection process, UA:PBC has decided to withdraw from the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest."
Writing on Facebook, Maruv insisted that she is simply a "musician" rather than "a bat" at the "political stage".
She wrote: "I am a citizen of Ukraine, pay taxes and sincerely love Ukraine. But I am not ready to address [people] with slogans, turning my participation in the contest into the promotion of our politicians. I am a musician, rather than a bat at the political stage.
"I sincerely thank and appreciate everyone who believed in me and voted. I ask you to accept this situation and not to take a confrontational path."
Other contestants, who had competed to represent Kiev in the annual singing contest - were invited to replace Maruv, however, they were all unwilling to step in.
Runner-up dance act Kazka, wrote on their Instagram page: "We would have been honoured to represent Ukraine. But we do not need a win at any price. Our mission is to unite people with music, not to sow discord."