Lavrov called the criteria for the selection of Eurovision participants satanic

Representatives of Russia are unlikely to be able to meet the current "satanic" criteria for the participants of the Eurovision Song Contest. This was announced on May 18 by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The minister noted that recently he had not heard any of the organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest comment on anything related to Russia.

"I want to say right away that we will not exceed the criteria that currently determine the participants of the Eurovision Song Contest and which are truly criteria of outright Satanism (the movement is recognized as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation. — Ed.). We can't pull it off, honestly," he said at a press conference.

Lavrov noted that there are other organizations — BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and other multilateral associations with the participation of Russia, which, in addition to political issues, are engaged in the expansion of cultural, humanitarian and other ties. Both musical and sporting events are organized under their auspices, which correspond to the spirit of national values, the minister added.

Dara was given away: there was a Russian trace in the Bulgarian singer's victory at Eurovision

The music competition was accompanied by a series of scandals, and a number of regular participants boycotted it altogether because of Israel's participation.

Martin Green, director of the music competition, said on May 15 that Russia could theoretically return to participating in Eurovision, provided that the rules of membership in the union are followed. He also touched upon the issue of Israel's participation in the contest, noting that the country's admission to the event was due to the lack of a "global consensus" around the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

In April, Lavrov noted that Satanism was booming in some European countries. He noted that some work on the "inventory and verification of the historical and scientific value of the relics of saints," which began last year at the Kiev Caves Lavra in Ukraine, causes deep indignation and even disgust.