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Laima Vaikule: Latvian pop star angers Russia with Crimea snub | Laima Vaikule: Latvian pop star angers Russia with Crimea snub |
(1 day later) | |
Latvian pop singer Laima Vaikule is facing criticism in Russia for refusing to perform in Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow after an unrecognised referendum four years ago. | |
Vaikule was a star in the 1990s and still has many fans in Russia. But she has said she "won't go there". | |
Her stance was condemned by a leading Russian Senator, Alexei Pushkov, along with several cultural figures. | |
Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 triggered EU and US sanctions. | |
Vaikule said she had a firm stance on Crimea, explaining that "I won't go there, whatever royalties they offer me". | Vaikule said she had a firm stance on Crimea, explaining that "I won't go there, whatever royalties they offer me". |
She also said "I'm a citizen of the European Union, I don't have the right to travel there". | She also said "I'm a citizen of the European Union, I don't have the right to travel there". |
Mr Pushkov said that if Vaikule did not want to earn fees in Russia she could "sing in cafes on the half-empty beaches of Jurmala [in Latvia] for the 'Europeans' - who aren't there, and who don't even know who she is". | Mr Pushkov said that if Vaikule did not want to earn fees in Russia she could "sing in cafes on the half-empty beaches of Jurmala [in Latvia] for the 'Europeans' - who aren't there, and who don't even know who she is". |
He also scoffed at Vaikule for saying EU citizens were "banned" from visiting Crimea. "That's fantasy, utter nonsense," he tweeted. | He also scoffed at Vaikule for saying EU citizens were "banned" from visiting Crimea. "That's fantasy, utter nonsense," he tweeted. |
Mr Pushkov is a strong supporter of President Vladimir Putin, who says Crimea belongs historically to Russia. Initially Mr Putin denied Russian military involvement in the 2014 takeover, but later admitted it was a Russian special operation. | Mr Pushkov is a strong supporter of President Vladimir Putin, who says Crimea belongs historically to Russia. Initially Mr Putin denied Russian military involvement in the 2014 takeover, but later admitted it was a Russian special operation. |
Read more on the Crimea controversy: | Read more on the Crimea controversy: |
The EU imposed wide-ranging economic sanctions after the move, prohibiting EU-based firms from doing business with Crimea. | The EU imposed wide-ranging economic sanctions after the move, prohibiting EU-based firms from doing business with Crimea. |
The sanctions, which also target many Russian and Crimean officials, do not ban visits to Crimea by EU citizens. | The sanctions, which also target many Russian and Crimean officials, do not ban visits to Crimea by EU citizens. |
But tourism is covered by the sanctions, so any visits linked to tourism - for example providing entertainment - could be seen as sanctions-busting. | But tourism is covered by the sanctions, so any visits linked to tourism - for example providing entertainment - could be seen as sanctions-busting. |
Fellow Latvian musician Raimonds Pauls, who composed huge hits during the Soviet era, backed Vaikule's position. | Fellow Latvian musician Raimonds Pauls, who composed huge hits during the Soviet era, backed Vaikule's position. |
"It's her choice, she's free to do what she wants. Today I don't travel anywhere - not to Moscow, not on tour," he told Russia's Govorit Moskva radio. | "It's her choice, she's free to do what she wants. Today I don't travel anywhere - not to Moscow, not on tour," he told Russia's Govorit Moskva radio. |
Despite the Western sanctions, some European politicians have visited Crimea since Russia annexed it. They include former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, a close friend of Mr Putin. | Despite the Western sanctions, some European politicians have visited Crimea since Russia annexed it. They include former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, a close friend of Mr Putin. |
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