Ukrainian singer Olya Polyakova has shared on her Instagram that she is submitting an application to participate in Ukraine’s National Selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

It’s no secret that the artist dreams of representing Ukraine on the international music stage. However, according to the selection rules, performers who have given concerts in Russia after 2014 are not eligible to represent Ukraine at Eurovision.

Nevertheless, this year Polyakova seems determined. The singer has appealed to the national broadcaster Suspilne to reconsider the rules. The last time the artist visited Russia was in 2015, and since then she has neither traveled there nor performed. Therefore, she believes she should be allowed to participate in the national selection.