Russia spurns Eurovision offer of remote participation for its singer

Russia's state-run broadcaster on Thursday quickly spurned Eurovision's offer for its contestant to participate in this year's song contest via satellite after Ukraine barred the singer from entering the country."We find the offer of remote participation odd and refuse it, for it is going absolutely against the very essence of the event," Russia's Channel One said in an emailed statement.Ukraine's security service on Wednesday imposed a three-year entry ban on Russia's participant Yuliya Samoilo