The artistic director of Russia's official Red Army Choir, formed during the Soviet era, has voiced readiness to join the competition. But tensions remain high following this year's unexpected win by Ukraine's Jamala.
The Alexandrov Ensemble Choir, also known as the Red Army Choir, performs at a synagogue in BudapestImage: picture alliance/dpa/J. Marjai
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Following a series of politically-charged comments in the wake of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, the artistic director of the Russian armed forces' Alexandrov Ensemble Choir announced his group is ready to represent Russia at the European song contest in Ukraine next year.
"When Moscow hosted Eurovision several years ago, we presented a short solo program there, and if we have one more opportunity to appear in another Eurovision Song Contest then we're prepared to do it," the Red Army Choir's Artistic Director Gennady Sachenyuk told Govorit Moskva radio on Monday, reported Russia's state-owned TASS news agency.
He added that the ensemble could modify its format to fit the contest's rules. "We're prepared to consider and discuss any format of participation in the contest," Sachenyuk said.
Ukrainian singer Jamala won this year's competition with the song "1944," which reflects on the deportations of ethnic Tatars from the Crimean Peninsula during the reign of late Soviet leader Josef Stalin.
The politics of music
Meanwhile, Russian singer Sergei Lazarev came in third place, prompting a backlash from Russian politicians who claimed that Jamala's win was politically motivated.
"It was not the Ukrainian singer Jamala and her song '1944' that won the Eurovision 2016 - it was politics that beat art," Russian politician Frankts Klintsevich told Russian media.
"It was hard for me to recall all these memories again and again, but I understand that it is necessary now. Because now the Crimean Tatars are desperate, and they need support," Jamala said.
In April, a court in Russia-administered Crimea upheld a Moscow-appointed prosecutor's ban on the Mejlis, the Crimean Tatar community's representative body.
The final results at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest
It was an extremely suspenseful evening. Although Australia was a clear favorite for the national juries, Ukraine won - and Russia came in third. Germany finished last.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Pedersen
The winner: Ukraine
Australia was the clear favorite according to the 42 national juries and ranked first until the top two public vote-getters were finally revealed to be Ukraine and Russia. Ultimately, the Ukrainian singer Jamala won with "1944," a gripping song about murder and persecution.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Pedersen
Australia's surprising second
The South Korea-born Australian singer Dami Im took the stage in a glittering white gown. Her performance of the song "Sound of Silence" convinced several national juries, earning her 320 points - way more than any other performer. Though everyone was worried about having the next Eurovision Song Contest held Down Under, that problem was finally solved by the public's votes.
Image: EBU/Andres Putting
Third (and first): Russia
The special effects accompanying the performance of Russia's Sergey Lazarev were so high-tech that he appeared to be defying gravity while singing "You Are the Only One." Betting odds placed him as a clear favorite: In the end, even though he finished third, he did in fact receive the most votes from the public - a fact that Russia's state television was quick to point out.
Image: DW/S. Wünsch
Rocking fourth: Bulgaria
Poli Genova rocked the night with her song "If Love Was a Crime." She was representing Bulgaria at the Eurovision Song Contest for the second time. Genova's 2011 entry hadn't managed to get past the semifinals, but this year she established a new high for her country by reaching fourth place.
Image: EBU/Andres Putting
Refreshing fifth: Sweden
The 17-year-old Frans Jeppsson Wall, better known as Frans, forgot that the Eurovision Song Contest was all about glitter and kitsch. Dressed in a simple normcore style, he offered a refreshing break from the melodramatic acts with his song "If I Were Sorry." It secured Sweden the fifth spot.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Pedersen
Unfortunately last: Germany
The 18-year-old German candidate, Jamie-Lee, performed "Ghost" in an outfit inspired by Asian mangas. Apparently this unusual style was too daring for both the juries and the public: She received a total 11 points - putting her dead last.
