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With a publication from EBU saying that the Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC may have to close down by the end of April this year, it is suddenly unsure whether or not Ukraine can actually take part at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest.

According to schedule, Mélovin will represent Ukraine at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest with the song Under The Ladder, but now, that might not happen.

Today, the European Broadcasting Union, EBU released a statement saying that the Ukranian broadcaster could be forced to close down by the end of April this year due to financial difficulties. They don’t mention how this could affect the Ukrainian participation, but as it is member broadcasters who take part, it could mean that there is no one present to represent Ukraine this year.

Back in 2016, Romania’s Eurovision participant was disqualified from the contest with just a few weeks to go, as the broadcaster had depth to EBU, which they couldn’t pay. That brought the number of participants down from 43 to 42, just like it happened last year when Russia withdrew from the contest.

Last year when Ukraine hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, things were problematic and not just in relation to Russian withdrawing. Money did play a big part in the Ukrainian preparations. Check our timeline below:

Timeline of events

Statement from UA:PBC

Ukrainian broadcaster says on Twitter that they continue their preparations, but they acknowledge the difficulties they face by stating that their future depends on the government being able to finance them. In a later statement they add that the current situation isn’t related to their participation. We’ll wait and see what will happen.

UA:PBC is continuing all the preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest. The latest news aren’t related with our participation in the contest. — UA:Eurovision 🇺🇦 (@uapbc) March 6, 2018

We are continuing all the preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest. And we’re not going to withdraw! ☝🏻

But the entire future of UA:PBC depends on the government's financing of the broadcaster. — UA:Eurovision 🇺🇦 (@uapbc) March 6, 2018