The Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in Turin, Italy, this weekend, and there will be one country missing - Russia. Back in February the European Broadcasting Union said the country's inclusion would bring the competition into disrepute, following Vladimir Putin's order to invade Ukraine.
At first the EBU said that Russia would remain as the competition was non-political but pressure from other competitors forced them to reevaluate the situation. State broadcasters from countries including Iceland, Finland, Norway and the Netherlands called for Russia to be banned from competing.
The EBU said: "The Executive Board of the EBU made the decision following a recommendation earlier today by the Eurovision Song Contest's governing body, the Reference Group, based on the rules of the event and the values of the EBU.
"The Reference Group recommendation was also supported by the EBU's Television Committee. The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year's Contest would bring the competition into disrepute."
In the first Eurovision semi-final, on Tuesday, May 10, Ukraine secured their place in the grand final on Saturday, May 14, along with nine other countries - with their traditional-hip-hop fusion track, Stefania.
You can watch the Eurovision Grand Final on BBC One, May 14 from 8pm.
