Ukrainian pop star, cultural diplomat and Eurovision 2006 participant Tina Karol, 38, talks about what means to the people of , people, singing on the frontline and her friendship with .
How do you feel about for Ukraine?
I am so grateful that here in Liverpool – not just for the hosting but for Britain funding us all to be here.
All the budget for our country is now for weapons to defend our country. This is huge support. When bad days happen, we understand now who our friends are, who care about us.
Do people at home feel it is important to watch Eurovision, even in the middle of the conflict?
Trust me, these performances on Saturday will lift the spirits of all Ukrainians. They will watch it. They are waiting. And of course, they will be screaming, ‘Ukraine! Ukraine!’ for Tvorchi and our entry, Heart Of Steel.
How do you think you will be feeling on Saturday when you perform your 2006 Eurovision entry as part of the Grand Final flag parade?
I will be feeling for when it airs. Singing this is my part to play in resistance and in supporting them.
But the other pressure I feel now is from my son who is studying in England at school in Derby.
He told me, ‘Mum, can you be amazing but please don’t wear something sexy!’ He’s 14-years-old. I showed him my costume that I will be wearing, and he said ‘No’. It’s not that he doesn’t like it as a dress, but he said, ‘Please cover yourself!’
Is the dress by ?
Yes. He dresses singers (including ) worldwide. It is red; the colour of love, the colour of woman’s power and women’s fluids.
We want to show how beautiful Ukraine is and after we win (the war) we want to show what we will bring to the world: beauty, bravery and strong resistance.
Tell us about the video for your new single, Honey, and the young women wrapped in a white blanket…
This is the blanket of hope and the blanket of dreams. I cuddle my blanket because I want to feel that I am OK. This is all about 
us now.
Do you know if your friend President Zelensky will be watching Eurovision?
I believe that he will be watching. I hope so! We haven’t talked about it because he has a lot of things to do. We’ve known each other for 18 years.
I was a performer on his TV shows, and we filmed a movie together. He always was humble and he is still humble.
I’m so proud of him and to have him as a leader. I’m so proud that such a humble and intelligent person can change the world. Because usually it’s the bad guys that change the world. It’s amazing.
Do you worry about him?
No, I’m proud. I know that it is very hard (for him) because diving deeply into military stuff is a new education. What does it mean to help people if a bullet shoots you? What do you need to do? Nobody taught that at school. But if there is a chemical attack.
What is it like visiting soldiers on the frontline and singing for them?
One newspaper said that I am like Vera Lynn because I am not afraid to sing to the troops on the frontline and to support our defenders. As a single mother I’m a little bit afraid about surviving. I must earn money for my son and give him a good education.
There was a time when I thought about going to be in the army, but my son said, ‘I don’t have a father, please don’t do that because I need you.’
What are the reactions of the soldiers?
Sometimes they cry. Sometimes they are thankful. We joke and we take a lot of pictures. This is so they feel normal and feel like their life was before the war.
Do you think Ukraine will win this war?
Of course. We have to do this. We are defending democracy, our country and our motherland.
On a more frivolous note, do you expect Ukraine to also win Eurovision again?
Please excuse me but if Ukraine win that’s normal (laughs). I really support Great Britain as well. I saw a music video of ’s I Wrote A Song and it is a very catchy song. I also really like the song from Israel, Unicorn by Noa Kirel. But Ukraine is my top one. This Saturday is a moment when all Europe is united. This is a moment of truth without Russia.
This will mean a lot in politics, in music. In the future we can be without Russia. We can have joy. We can have happiness.
