It's a pleasure to take part in this debate this afternoon. My knowledge isn't as good on Eurovision as yours, Natasha, but what I will say is that I wasn't originally down to speak on this, but I'm glad that I finally made my mind up to contribute today.

Eurovision, for those who follow it, evokes a sense of celebration, culture, competition, creativity, camaraderie, all combined into a single annual event. The secret to Eurovision's cross-border mass appeal lies in a curious mixture of camp irony and mild controversy. Other than sporting events, the Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most watched annual international television events in the world, drawing in 600 million viewers each year. Following conversations by the European Broadcasting Union in the 1950s to connect countries within the union during the period after world war two, the contest has been televised every year since its premiere in 1956. 

For now, NATO countries are not directly at war with Russia, but we are in a wartime period, which we must do all we can to support. Against this backdrop, a kindly reminder of how important events such as Eurovision can be has surely been felt. The UK entry into the contest this year resulted in second place, closely behind Ukraine. With many security concerns, ongoing conversations around the logistics of the contest being held in Ukraine have taken place. Understandably, it's been noted that it's unlikely to be safe enough for it to take place in Kyiv or Lviv, or indeed any other Ukrainian city, and I would like to take this opportunity to say that Wales stands ready to facilitate Ukraine as a host nation in this instance. 

Despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the kindness and willingness of the people of Wales has been unwavering towards the people of Ukraine. We've seen the fantastic work of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, who have housed and supported refugees at a handful of their locations across the country. Therefore, while our armed forces remain absent from the battlefields of Donbas, we must look at other ways in which we can carry the Ukrainian message of hope. A Welsh-organised Eurovision could see profits donated to charity, and free tickets distributed to refugees here in Wales. There's a real opportunity that 2023 could mark the year of renewed friendship.

Over the past few months, Ukraine has shown its true determination and grit to be a beacon of freedom and democracy here in Europe. Regardless of where and when the next Eurovision is held, this is another opportunity for us to join in solidarity with its people and send a hard, strong message to Russia. Russia's war campaign on European soil will not go unpunished. Putin and his military generals will answer for the war crimes that they have committed, and Wales and the United Kingdom will stand unwaveringly with their Ukrainian allies until every last tank, soldier, fighter jet and naval ship has left Ukraine for good. I'll finish by quoting Konrad Adenauer, when he said that

'When the world seems large and complex, we need to remember that great world ideals all begin in some home neighborhood.'

The war in Ukraine has truly shown that. Thank you.