‘Your song won our heart’ – top EU officials on Ukraine’s Eurovision victory

European Union leaders have congratulated the Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra on winning the Eurovision Song Contest.

The final was held in Turin, Italy, on the night of 14-15 May. An overwhelming number of viewers gave their votes to the Ukrainian performance. Armenia, Azerbaijan and Moldova also made it to the final from the Eastern Partnership countries. 

European Council President Charles Michel congratulated the Kalush Orchestra, expressing his wish for next year’s Eurovision to be held “in Kyiv in a free and united Ukraine”.  In his tweet, he quoted the lyrics of the band’s song in Ukrainian: “Ломаними дорогами прийду я завжди до тебе” (“I will always come to you on broken roads”).

“Tonight your song won our heart,” wrote European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Twitter. “The EU is with you.”​​EU High Representative Josep Borrell also joined in the congratulations: “Long live music! Long live Europe! Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini/Glory to Ukraine).”