Overview

• An international jury awarded Vietnam first place, with Kyrgyzstan second and Qatar third, in a contest where entries were performed in national languages.
• U.S. participation unraveled as Brandon Howard withdrew days before the final and Vassy pulled out minutes before showtime; organizers alleged Australian government pressure, a claim not independently confirmed.
• Russia’s entrant Shaman asked the jury to disregard his score in the host nation’s home field, with the competition offering a 30 million rouble top prize and no public televote.
• Organizers said the show aired in Russia and was available online or on TV abroad with a potential reach exceeding 4 billion people, with presenters from India and China on stage.
• President Vladimir Putin opened the event with a video message as officials framed Intervision as a values-focused alternative to Eurovision, and organizers said Saudi Arabia will host the next edition.