Putin demands that Ukraine lift ban on Russia's wheelchair-bound Eurovision singer

Yulia Samoylova has been barred because she performed in Crimea, annexed by Vladimir Putin in 2014. 

President Putin’s spokesman urged Kiev to reconsider a curb that Moscow believes is politically motivated. 

“Undoubtedly, the Ukrainian side’s decision seriously devalues the forthcoming contest,” said Dmitry Peskov. 

The move to ban her for three years from Ukraine “strikes a blow the prestige of Eurovision”, he added. 

Russia has also claimed that Ukraine took the decision because it is terrified of the talented Samoylova winning the contest in Ukraine. 

The singer – born in Ukhta, the same sub-Arctic town where Roman Abramovich was raised by relatives after his parents died – has also expressed the hope that she will be allowed to take part. 

She made clear she has not stopped training in the hope the decision will be rescinded. 

Disabled from childhood, she said: “It is so funny to look at this from a distance, because I don’t understand what’s wrong that they have seen in me. 

“In me, in such a small girl, they have discovered some kind of danger. 

“To be honest, I am not upset. 

“I keep training, and for some reason I think that it will change for the better soon.”

Meanwhile, Russian TV chiefs have vowed that if the ban holds, Yulia will be the country’s Eurovision entry in 2018.

“If Ukraine doesn’t allow Yulia to take part in Eurovision, then next year, regardless where the competition is held, Yulia will represent Russia,’ said a Channel One spokesman. 

“The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has banned Julia Samoylova from entry for three years,” said a spokesman.

Ukraine – backed by the West – believed Russia’s hold over Crimea is illegal in international law. 

Around 140 Russian performers have been banned by the Ukrainian authorities, also because they have visited Crimea since annexation. 

The singer was chosen as Russia’s choice with her song The Flame is Burning. 

But Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Brygynets accused Moscow of “hiding behind a disabled person”.

“This is yet another outrageous, cynical and inhumane act by the Kiev authorities,” hit back Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin.

“It is a mean and shameful ruling. Ukrainian authorities were simply scared of the Russian singer’s would-be triumph,” said senior senator Frants Klintsevich.

“Yulia is not just talented, she has a strong character and she would win in Ukraine in spite of anything, or against anything.”

Channel One in Russia blasted: “Given a chance to try and look civilised, the Ukrainian authorities lacked the common sense to use it. It’s a pity.”

Yulia was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy as a young child, but her parents believe a bungled polio vaccination compounded her problems.

“I do not remember walking,” she said. 

“My parents told me that I started to walk, when I was about 11 months old, but after this I was always in wheelchair.”

After the vaccination, she said, she could no longer walk. 

“My mother made sure that I went to a normal school, into a regular class,” she said. 

“My parents always support me in everything.”

Last year her fans helped her raise £43,000 for an urgent operation in Helsinki to prevent complications for her heart and lungs. 

She trained as a singer during childhood and nine years ago set up rock band TeeraNova. 

In 2013 she came second in the Russian version of The X Factor, and a year later sang at the opening of the Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi. 

Always close is her boyfriend of eight years Alexey Taran who fell in love with her online.

“Back then I didn’t know she couldn’t walk,” he said. 

“It got clear literally the day before our meeting but it didn’t alter my decision to see this beautiful girl.”

At home, she orders him around, she said. 

“My duty is to say what to do at home, when and how much potatoes or rice to put in a pot, for how long to boil it,” she said. 

“I’m like a chief cook.

“Lyosha [Alexey] is the junior cook. And it’s the same in everything else. 

“You know, when we started living together, I didn’t have my hopes raised on relations, I was thinking: if it works out, it works out. 

“Our parents didn’t talk us out of it.

“Everything happened naturally.”

The European Broadcasting Union hit out at the Ukrainian move. 

“We have to respect the local laws of the host country,” said spokesman Dave Goodman.

“However we are deeply disappointed in this decision as we feel it goes against both the spirit of the Contest, and the notion of inclusivity that lies at the heart of its values.”

He said the EBU would “continue a dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities with the aim of ensuring that all artists can perform at the 62nd Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev in May.”