The Ukrainian ambassador demanded to cancel Netrebko's performance at the Zurich Opera House.

Ukraine's Ambassador to Switzerland Irina Venediktova has sent letters to members of the Zurich Cantonal Council demanding that performances by Russian opera singer Anna Netrebko and other artists at the Zurich Opera House scheduled for November next year be canceled. Venediktova expressed "deep concern" over their involvement, Die Weltwoche magazine reported on October 3.

"Perhaps it is time for the government body appointed for this purpose to explain to the Ukrainian ambassador what constitutional freedom of creativity and neutrality in Switzerland are," the publication noted.

Venediktova also points out the artist's participation in the ceremonies of the Sochi Olympics and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. She called on the Swiss authorities to provide a "suitable environment."

The Zurich authorities have not yet commented on the initiative of the Ukrainian ambassador.

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Earlier, on September 8, it was reported that similar criticism was heard in the UK, where Netrebko was scheduled to perform at Covent Garden. More than 200 Ukrainian organizations and the former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Valery Zaluzhny tried to get the concert cancelled, but the London authorities did not intervene.

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