Latest news with #Intervision
Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
US ‘will take part in Russia's version of Eurovision'
The United States has congratulated Russia on its national Russia Day holiday for the first time since the Kremlin ordered tanks into Ukraine in 2022, in another sign of warming ties between Moscow and Washington under President Trump. 'On behalf of the American people, I want to congratulate the Russian people on Russia Day. The United States remains committed to supporting the Russian people as they continue to build on their aspirations for a brighter future,' Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, said in a statement. 'We also take this opportunity to reaffirm the United States's desire for constructive engagement with the Russian Federation to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine,' he added. 'It is our hope that peace will foster more mutually beneficial relations between our countries.' As a sign of improving relations, there are reports in Russia that a performer from the United States would take part in the Intervision Song Contest, a Kremlin-backed alternative to the Eurovision Song Contest that will take place in Moscow in September. Russia will be represented by Shaman, a pop singer whose videos have drawn comparisons to Nazi propaganda. Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022 as western organisations cut ties with Moscow over the war. However, Putin signed a decree in February ordering Russian officials to revive the Intervision, a separate event that took place in eastern Europe during the Soviet era. Although Russia participated in Eurovision up until 2021, the LGBT-friendly event faced increasing criticism in Moscow as Putin sought to depict his country as a bastion of 'traditional values'. Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, has said there will be 'no perversions' at the Intervision. A Kremlin official has said that 20 'friendly countries,' including Belarus, Brazil, Cuba and India will take part. It is unclear who will represent the US. An Intervision organiser told Tass, a state news agency, that a competition would soon be held in the US to determine its contestant. The Times was unable to verify the report. Aside from Belarus, Serbia is the only other European country planning to take part, Moscow said. It comes after a poll revealed this week how the attitudes of ordinary Russians towards Americans are changing. Only 40 per cent of Russians believe that US is the 'most hostile' country to Russia, compared to 76 per cent before Trump's election victory in November, according to the Levada Centre, an independent polling agency in Moscow. The poll found that the most hostile countries to Russia are now considered to be Germany, Britain and Ukraine, with the US in fourth place, Levada said. It is the first time that America has not occupied the number one spot since polling began in 2005. In contrast, almost 90 per cent of Ukrainians now say they distrust Trump, according to another poll that was published in April by the New Europe Centre. Sporting ties between Russia and America are also improving under Trump, who has often boasted of his 'great relationship' with Putin, a former KGB officer who has been in power for 25 years. After talks between Putin and Trump in March, the two leaders announced that Russian and US ice-hockey stars would play a series of friendly matches. The games would prove a boost to Russia, which was banned from most international sports events after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. No date has so far been given for the matches. Rubio's comments were covered by Channel One, Russia's main television station, in a news programme dedicated to the national holiday, which also included a congratulatory message from a Russian policewoman in Melitopol, a Ukrainian city that is under the control of Moscow. 'Victory will be ours!' said a masked Russian national guard officer. 'After three years of silence, the United States has again congratulated Russians on Russia Day,' wrote Olga Skabeyeva, a Channel One TV presenter who has been sanctioned by the US for promoting Kremlin propaganda. The broadcast of Rubio's comments followed days of deadly Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian towns and cities. At least 14 people, including children, were injured in Russian strikes overnight on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second city, officials said. Kim Jong-un, the North Korean dictator, also offered his congratulations to Moscow on Russia Day, pledging that Pyongyang would always 'stand with' Russia in what he described as its 'sacred war' in Ukraine. Congratulatory messages were also sent to Moscow by the autocratic leaders of Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, among others. Iryna Voichuk, a Ukrainian journalist, accused Washington of shaking Russia's 'bloodstained hand', while Anton Gerashchenko, a former adviser to the Ukrainian interior ministry, posted a vomit emoji next to Rubio's statement. The Russia Day holiday was first celebrated in Russia in 1992 to commemorate the country's declaration of sovereignty after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Three years ago, Antony Blinken, Rubio's predecessor as US secretary of state, used the occasion to express support for Russians opposed to the Kremlin's crackdown on dissent.
The Irish Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
US will take part in Putin's knock-off Eurovision song contest, Russia says… competing against Iran and China
THE US will compete against China and Iran in Putin's rip-off Eurovision song contest, according to Russian state media. Mad Vlad's mouthpiece media made the bizarre claim that Americans would sing in the Intervision 2025 Song Contest, Russia's bootleg version of the iconic competition. 6 Vladimir Putin mocked up as last year's Eurovision winner Nemo of Switzerland 6 Intervision ran between 1965 and 1968, and later between 1977 and 1980 Credit: East2West 6 Intervision is Putin's knock-off version of the iconic Eurovision Song Contest (pictured) Credit: The Mega Agency It comes after the bitter tyrant announced the Putin's country was booted out of the official Eurovision Song Contest following his bloody invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Their so-called source said: "Indeed, the United States has confirmed its participation in the Intervision. READ MORE WORLD NEWS "The names of the participants will be announced later." They gave no further details on American involvement in the competition. Earlier this year, Putin signed a decree for the Intervision Song Contest to be held in Moscow in September 2025. More than 25 of his ally countries are set to join his contest - including North Korea, Most read in The US Sun This sad attempt at recreating Eurovision will reportedly ban LGBT performers. Putin's Ukraine war toll tops 1 MILLION Russians dead & wounded 40 months into 'days-long operation'…with no end in sight, with Stephen Hall In Russia, rules now ban anything deemed to promote homosexuality, and the international LGBTQ movement is seen as an extremist organisation. Putin's move has been seen as an attempt to revive two similar flopped music contests from the Soviet era. Communist This was also aimed to bring together its allies in Eastern Europe and across the world, like Cuba. Intervision ran between 1965 and 1968, and later between 1977 and 1980. It is unclear if it will use its bizarre communist-era voting system when TV viewers turned their lights on or off to cast votes, with the results measured by electricity consumption. The 2025 version of the competition will reportedly showcase "traditional universal, spiritual and family values". This would be a sharp contrast to the flamboyance, art, and colour brought through Eurovision - like it's 2024 winner 6 Putin's media said that Americans will compete in the contest Credit: AP 6 The Intervision Song Contest was the Eastern Bloc's version of Eurovision Credit: East2West 6 Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022 after Putin invaded Ukraine Credit: Alamy It is believed that Putin wants to relaunch the competition to separate Russia from what he says is the West's continued lack of respect for religious values and moral attitudes. A Russian planning document said: "Artists may not perform songs that call for violence, humiliate the honour and dignity of society, and it is required that political themes in the lyrics are completely excluded." Intervision will also aim to be 'developing international cultural and humanitarian cooperation', according to his presidential decree. This decree also claimed "the contest will be open for participation of all countries that wish to do so". Intervision is reportedly set to give performers four minutes on stage to sing in whatever language they like, according to documents seen by The winner will get prize money and go on tour. It is not known if Putin will seek to sing at the contest, as he famously did in 2010, performing Blueberry Hill at a live charity event in St Petersburg. The dictator's rendition went viral, as he sang in front of guests including Goldie Hawn , Kevin Costner, and Sharon Stone. Putin previously announced he wanted to stage the The tyrant postponed the competition by one year - and then indefinitely in a humiliating U-turn. The country has taken part in Eurovision 23 times since 1994. Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022 after Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine . The same year that Putin annexed Crimea from Ukraine, an Austrian drag queen popularly known as "the bearded lady," won Eurovision in 2014. This is thought to have been a turning point in Putin's desire to fully separate his country from Western values.
Scottish Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
US will take part in Putin's knock-off Eurovision song contest, Russia says… competing against Iran and China
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE US will compete against China and Iran in Putin's rip-off Eurovision song contest, according to Russian state media. Mad Vlad's mouthpiece media made the bizarre claim that Americans would sing in the Intervision 2025 Song Contest, Russia's bootleg version of the iconic competition. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Vladimir Putin mocked up as last year's Eurovision winner Nemo of Switzerland 6 Intervision ran between 1965 and 1968, and later between 1977 and 1980 Credit: East2West 6 Intervision is Putin's knock-off version of the iconic Eurovision Song Contest (pictured) Credit: The Mega Agency It comes after the bitter tyrant announced the revival of the Soviet answer to Eurovision in February this year. Putin's country was booted out of the official Eurovision Song Contest following his bloody invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Propaganda outlet Tass claimed "sources" had told them that "representatives from the United States" would take part in the knock-off event. Their so-called source said: "Indeed, the United States has confirmed its participation in the Intervision. READ MORE WORLD NEWS DRONE WARS Vladimir Putin starts using AI kamikaze drone that 'chooses its own target' "The names of the participants will be announced later." They gave no further details on American involvement in the competition. Earlier this year, Putin signed a decree for the Intervision Song Contest to be held in Moscow in September 2025. More than 25 of his ally countries are set to join his contest - including North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela. Mad Vlad has already said his bizarre idea has been backed by his "Chinese friends". This sad attempt at recreating Eurovision will reportedly ban LGBT performers. Putin's Ukraine war toll tops 1 MILLION Russians dead & wounded 40 months into 'days-long operation'…with no end in sight, with Stephen Hall In Russia, rules now ban anything deemed to promote homosexuality, and the international LGBTQ movement is seen as an extremist organisation. Putin's move has been seen as an attempt to revive two similar flopped music contests from the Soviet era. Communist Russia tried to set up a competition also called Intervision in the 1960s. This was also aimed to bring together its allies in Eastern Europe and across the world, like Cuba. Intervision ran between 1965 and 1968, and later between 1977 and 1980. It is unclear if it will use its bizarre communist-era voting system when TV viewers turned their lights on or off to cast votes, with the results measured by electricity consumption. The 2025 version of the competition will reportedly showcase "traditional universal, spiritual and family values". This would be a sharp contrast to the flamboyance, art, and colour brought through Eurovision - like it's 2024 winner Nemo from Switzerland. 6 Putin's media said that Americans will compete in the contest Credit: AP 6 The Intervision Song Contest was the Eastern Bloc's version of Eurovision Credit: East2West 6 Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022 after Putin invaded Ukraine Credit: Alamy It is believed that Putin wants to relaunch the competition to separate Russia from what he says is the West's continued lack of respect for religious values and moral attitudes. A Russian planning document said: "Artists may not perform songs that call for violence, humiliate the honour and dignity of society, and it is required that political themes in the lyrics are completely excluded." Intervision will also aim to be 'developing international cultural and humanitarian cooperation', according to his presidential decree. This decree also claimed "the contest will be open for participation of all countries that wish to do so". Intervision is reportedly set to give performers four minutes on stage to sing in whatever language they like, according to documents seen by Reuters. The winner will get prize money and go on tour. It is not known if Putin will seek to sing at the contest, as he famously did in 2010, performing Blueberry Hill at a live charity event in St Petersburg. The dictator's rendition went viral, as he sang in front of guests including Hollywood stars like Goldie Hawn, Kevin Costner, and Sharon Stone. Putin previously announced he wanted to stage the World Festival of Friendship in 2024 as an alternative to the Olympics - which Russia has also been excluded from. The tyrant postponed the competition by one year - and then indefinitely in a humiliating U-turn. The country has taken part in Eurovision 23 times since 1994. Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022 after Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine. The same year that Putin annexed Crimea from Ukraine, an Austrian drag queen popularly known as "the bearded lady," won Eurovision in 2014. This is thought to have been a turning point in Putin's desire to fully separate his country from Western values.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
US will take part in Putin's knock-off Eurovision song contest, Russia says… competing against Iran and China
THE US will compete against China and Iran in Putin's rip-off Eurovision song contest, according to Russian state media. Mad Vlad's mouthpiece media made the bizarre claim that Americans would sing in the Intervision 2025 Song Contest, Russia's bootleg version of the iconic competition. 6 6 6 It comes after the bitter tyrant announced the revival of the Soviet answer to Eurovision in February this year. Putin's country was booted out of the official Eurovision Song Contest following his bloody invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Propaganda outlet Tass claimed "sources" had told them that "representatives from the United States" would take part in the knock-off event. Their so-called source said: "Indeed, the United States has confirmed its participation in the Intervision. "The names of the participants will be announced later." They gave no further details on American involvement in the competition. Earlier this year, Putin signed a decree for the Intervision Song Contest to be held in Moscow in September 2025. More than 25 of his ally countries are set to join his contest - including North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela. Mad Vlad has already said his bizarre idea has been backed by his "Chinese friends". This sad attempt at recreating Eurovision will reportedly ban LGBT performers. Putin's Ukraine war toll tops 1 MILLION Russians dead & wounded 40 months into 'days-long operation'…with no end in sight, with Stephen Hall In Russia, rules now ban anything deemed to promote homosexuality, and the international LGBTQ movement is seen as an extremist organisation. Putin's move has been seen as an attempt to revive two similar flopped music contests from the Soviet era. Communist Russia tried to set up a competition also called Intervision in the 1960s. This was also aimed to bring together its allies in Eastern Europe and across the world, like Cuba. Intervision ran between 1965 and 1968, and later between 1977 and 1980. It is unclear if it will use its bizarre communist-era voting system when TV viewers turned their lights on or off to cast votes, with the results measured by electricity consumption. The 2025 version of the competition will reportedly showcase "traditional universal, spiritual and family values". This would be a sharp contrast to the flamboyance, art, and colour brought through Eurovision - like it's 2024 winner Nemo from Switzerland. 6 6 6 It is believed that Putin wants to relaunch the competition to separate Russia from what he says is the West's continued lack of respect for religious values and moral attitudes. A Russian planning document said: "Artists may not perform songs that call for violence, humiliate the honour and dignity of society, and it is required that political themes in the lyrics are completely excluded." Intervision will also aim to be 'developing international cultural and humanitarian cooperation', according to his presidential decree. This decree also claimed "the contest will be open for participation of all countries that wish to do so". Intervision is reportedly set to give performers four minutes on stage to sing in whatever language they like, according to documents seen by Reuters. The winner will get prize money and go on tour. It is not known if Putin will seek to sing at the contest, as he famously did in 2010, performing Blueberry Hill at a live charity event in St Petersburg. The dictator's rendition went viral, as he sang in front of guests including Hollywood stars like Goldie Hawn, Kevin Costner, and Sharon Stone. Putin previously announced he wanted to stage the World Festival of Friendship in 2024 as an alternative to the Olympics - which Russia has also been excluded from. The tyrant postponed the competition by one year - and then indefinitely in a humiliating U-turn. The country has taken part in Eurovision 23 times since 1994. Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022 after Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine. The same year that Putin annexed Crimea from Ukraine, an Austrian drag queen popularly known as "the bearded lady," won Eurovision in 2014. This is thought to have been a turning point in Putin's desire to fully separate his country from Western values.
Korea Herald
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Russia's revived Soviet music contest to take place in September
MOSCOW (AFP) — Russia will hold its "Intervision" music competition in September, organizers announced on Wednesday, after authorities revived the Soviet-era competition that was meant to rival Eurovision. Moscow has been banned from taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest over its Ukraine offensive and President Vladimir Putin earlier this year ordered for the USSR-version of the contest to be held in Russia this year. The Intervision Song Contest — mainly made up of the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc states — was held in the 1960s and 1970s to rival the West. Organizers said that Intervision 2025 will be held in Moscow's LIVE Arena on Sept. 20, promising artists from "various continents" and "unforgettable emotions." The European Broadcasting Union, the organizer of Eurovision, banned Russia after its February 2022 offensive in Ukraine, meaning it cannot enter or broadcast the contest. Russia has in previous years been a serious Eurovision contender, and took part in the contest since 1994, winning it in 2008. Putin issued a decree in February setting out a plan to hold the alternative contest. The Intervision Song Contest was held in the 1960s and 1970s, before being replaced by the Sopot International Song Festival, held in the Polish Baltic coast city of Sopot, and drawing artists from the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc. Alla Pugacheva, Russia's most famous artist considered as the country's pop queen, won the competition in 1978.
