Ukraine says it will not be taking part in next year's Eurovision Song Contest due to financial constraints.
The director of the National Television Company of Ukraine, Zurab Alasania, said on September 19 that the state broadcaster had to "optimize" its funds given the unstable financial and political situation caused by the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The 2015 Eurovision pop extravaganza will be held in May in Vienna, following the victory of Austria's Conchita Wurst at this year’s contest in Copenhagen.
The event was overshadowed by the crisis in Ukraine, with Russia's entry being booed by parts of the audience during the results.
Russia ended the night in seventh place, behind Ukraine's entry, singer Mariya Yaremchuk.
Ukraine's Ruslana won the event in 2004.
