The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has decided that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will take place outside Ukraine due to the current situation in the country, according to Ukrinform.

The EBU said this in a statement:

"Following objective analysis, the Reference Group, the ESC's governing board, has with deep regret concluded that, given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required for a broadcaster to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest under the ESC Rules cannot be fulfilled by UA:PBC. The EBU would like to thank UA:PBC for their wholehearted cooperation and commitment in exploring all scenarios in the weeks since Kalush Orchestra's win on 14 May in Turin and share their sadness and disappointment that next year's Contest cannot be held in Ukraine," the statement said.

It added that as a result of this decision, in accordance with the rules and to ensure the continuity of the event, the EBU will now begin discussions with the BBC, as this year's runner up, to potentially host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom.

"It is our full intention that Ukraine’s win will be reflected in next year's shows. This will be a priority for us in our discussions with the eventual hosts," the statement read.

Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra won the final of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest with their song "Stefania"."