[Samm]

Ukraine has announced it will not be taking part in next year's Eurovision Song Contest due to limited finances.

"We don't want to do something badly, and we don't have the money to do something well," said Zurab Alasania, of the state broadcaster NTU.

Mr Alasania said the broadcaster had to "optimise" its funds given the unstable financial and political situation caused by the conflict in east Ukraine.

Ukraine came sixth at the event this year in Copenhagen.

The NTU (National Television Company of Ukraine) said it was focusing funds on creating public service broadcasting.

A statement said it had made a deal with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to exit the competition for the coming year, with a view to returning in 2016.

The 2015 contest is being held in May in Vienna, following the triumph of Austria's Conchita Wurst at the event earlier this year.

The Denmark contest was overshadowed by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, with Russia's entry - The Tolmachevy Sisters - being booed by sections of the audience during the results.

Russia ended the night in seventh place with 89 points, behind Ukraine's entry - singer Mariya Yaremchuk - with 113.

Ukrainian singer Ruslana won the event in 2004 and has subsequently become one of the leading voices of protest in opposition to Russia's influence in her country.

m.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29280319

Good, I'm sick of them winning

[Saph]

sore losers?

[Headie]

Tick Tock >>>>>>>

[Firewire]

Ukraine always send a good entry, they'll be missed this year

[Braden]

Ukraine have only won the contest once?

I'm gutted they don't have the funding, and feel sorry for them over obvious reasons. They usually send a good act that deserves a good place. Hopefully they'll be back in the near future.

[Shaun]

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by ~Sam~

Good, I'm sick of them winning

Eh?

[Black Dagger]

They only won once and that was 10 years ago. Ruslana <33

Really gutted actually. Dancing Lasha Tumbai is my all time favourite entry and they've been so consistent over the years. Hopefully it's just a one year break like with Cyprus this year.

[Marsh.]

We should exit next.

[Samm]

Originally Posted by Braden

Ukraine have only won the contest once?

I'm gutted they don't have the funding, and feel sorry for them over obvious reasons. They usually send a good act that deserves a good place. Hopefully they'll be back in the near future.

ik it was more how they always come at the top

[T*]

Verka Serduchka, Ani Lorak, Svetlana Loboda, Gaitana and Mariya Yaremchuk will have a special place in my heart when it comes to eurovision. Very sad to see them go

[Braden]

Originally Posted by ~Sam~

ik it was more how they always come at the top

Oh, fair enough

For me Ukraine, Sweden, Greece & Armenia are the four acts I always look forward to because they usually send good representatives. I'm with Tom, but add Mika Newton & Ruslana

[Black Dagger]

Zlata >>> should have won last year over Emellie