British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Saturday that "Ukraine can and should host" the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest after the organizers said they were in talks to hold it in the United Kingdom instead due to the ongoing Russian invasion.
While decadeslong tradition dictates that the winner of the contest gets to host it the following year, organizers said the security guarantees required to hold the competition in Ukraine meant discussions would be held with the runner-up, Britain.
"Of course, I would love it to be in this country but the fact is they won and they deserve to have it and I believe they can have it and I believe that they should have it," Johnson told reporters on arrival back in Britain after a visit to Kyiv.
"I believe that Kyiv or any other safe Ukrainian city would be a fantastic place to have it," he added. "It is a year away, it is going to be fine by the time the Eurovision Song Contest comes round and I hope the Ukrainians get it."
The comments by organizer the European Broadcasting Union on Friday that it was in discussions with British broadcaster the BBC to host the next event was greeted with disappointment in Kyiv, which demanded further negotiations.
