The European Broadcasting Union, which requires participating artists refrain from making political statements – either from the stage, or in their song lyrics – is holding fast to its policy, despite the chorus of disapproval from British politicians. “The Eurovision Song Contest is an international entertainment show and governed by strict rules and principles which have been established since its creation,” a statement said, adding Zelensky’s request “to address the audience at the Eurovision Song Contest, whilst made with laudable intentions, regrettably cannot be granted by the EBU as it would be against the rules of the event”.

“One of the cornerstones of the contest is the non-political nature of the event. This principle prohibits the possibility of making political or similar statements as part of the contest.”

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Zelensky has used high-profile media events to take his country’s message to the world. He has spoken at the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals, he virtually rang the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange last year, and spoke at the Grammys and this year’s Golden Globes. “There will be no third World War, it is not a trilogy,” he told the Globes audience.

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But Zelensky’s request to speak at the Oscars, the highest profile of Hollywood’s star-powered stages, has been declined twice. The Toronto Film Festival also declined to lend him its stage, and a spokesperson said the festival “does not comment on discussions with dignitaries, government officials or international embassies” but “stands in solidarity with Ukrainians”.

Despite the European Broadcasting Union’s insistence on an apolitical stance, the competition, born in the aftermath of the continent-scarring World War II, has often walked a geopolitically precarious line. Its rules are enforced, but often inconsistently.

In 2005, Lebanon was invited to join the competition and got as far as nominating an artist, Aline Lahoud, and a song, Quand Tout S’enfuit. But the state-owned broadcaster, Télé Liban, announced it intention to cut the performance by the Israeli artist from its broadcast, a violation of EBU rules, and Lebanon was subsequently disqualified.

In 2016, Ukraine’s song, 1944, which contained references to Joseph Stalin’s deportation of Crimean Tatars – “When strangers are coming / they come to your house / they kill you all and say / we’re not guilty, not guilty” – was considered political commentary on the Russian annexation of Crimea. The song was allowed.

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And in 2019, when the competition was staged in Tel Aviv, Israel, Icelandic techno/punk rock band Hatari, who had publicly taken a pro-Palestine stance, were cautioned by organisers. They made no statements but held up a Palestinian flag during the broadcast and Iceland’s broadcaster RUV was fined €5000 ($8200).

Compared to the politically charged environment in which the 2022 competition was held – the dramatic expulsion of Russia, a historically strong competitor – the 2023 competition had seemed uncharacteristically calm until Zelensky’s request and the European Broadcasting Union’s refusal.

Whatever the outcome of Zelensky’s plea, Eurovision’s apolitical stance is becoming ever more difficult to navigate in an increasingly fractious Europe.

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