Overview

• Vietnamese singer Duc Phuc won at Moscow’s Live Arena, securing the 30 million-rouble prize after a 23-country final decided by an international jury with no public vote.
• Organisers said U.S. entrant Vassy pulled out minutes before performing due to Australian government pressure, following earlier U.S. nominee Brandon Howard’s withdrawal citing family reasons.
• Russia positioned the contest as a showcase for “traditional family values,” featuring a video message from Vladimir Putin and an in-arena appearance by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
• Claims of multi‑billion potential viewership lacked a published list of foreign broadcasters, and independent reports cited technical hiccups and questions over attendance and audience reach.
• Organisers announced a 2026 edition in Saudi Arabia, signaling plans to expand the Kremlin-backed event across non-Western partners despite credibility concerns.