Traditions and culture can unite people. This was stated by the Russian singer Nadezhda Babkina, commenting on her inclusion in the list of artists banned in Ukraine and the conduct of a special operation by Russia to protect the population of Donbass.
With the help of traditions, the peoples of the countries can have good and neighborly relations, the performer noted. She recalled that she grew up in a village in the Astrakhan region, where representatives of about 120 nationalities lived.
“The language is so familiar to me that I understand what is being said. But, unfortunately, since 2015 I have been persona non grata in Ukraine, and since 2004 – persona non grata in Azerbaijan. The figure is noticeable. I have something to be proud of, and nothing will ever break me, ”she said in an interview with the 360 TV channel.
According to Babkina, her performances are banned in Ukraine, as she sang in Russian and “demonstrated peace, kindness, love, mutual understanding.” The singer added that at the first opportunity she would definitely go to the republics of Donbass.
On May 9, the Latvian authorities banned Russian pop artists Philip Kirkorov, Evgeny Petrosyan, Vladimir Vinokur and the head of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation Irina Viner-Usmanova from entering the country.
On March 25, Latvia blacklisted six Russian cultural figures. Entry into Latvia for an indefinite period is also prohibited for Timur Yunusov, known under the pseudonym Timati, singer Yulia Chicherina, actors Mikhail Boyarsky, Sergey Bezrukov, Igor Ugolnikov and Maria Shukshina.
At the end of April, the Estonian authorities banned Kirkorov from entering the country for five years. On April 21, at a government meeting, restrictions were imposed on a number of Russian and Belarusian artists. As the prime minister of the republic, Kaja Kallas, said at the time, “the situation has become black and white and those who support the special operation in Ukraine are not welcome in Estonia.”
Anti-Russian sentiment in Europe intensified after Russia announced on February 24 that it was carrying out an operation to protect the Donbass. The Kremlin specified that the special operation had two goals – the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine. Moscow also emphasized that strikes were carried out only on military infrastructure.
The situation in the region escalated significantly in mid-February due to shelling by the Ukrainian military. The authorities of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics announced the evacuation of residents to the Russian Federation, and also turned to Moscow for help. On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognizing the independence of the DPR and LPR.
For more up-to-date videos and details about the situation in Donbass, watch the Izvestia TV channel.
