As Russia attempts to divide Europe with nuclear threats and hybrid war advances, one renowned Russian music critic has warned of a new "secret weapon" that Nato may be totally unprepared for - Russia's Eurovision entry, Polina Gagarina.
Polina Gagarina, Russia's 2015 entry into the Eurovision song contest is a hot favourite to win the competition after a year of estrangement between Moscow and the West. One of Russia's most renowned music critics Arthur Gasparyan thinks that by Saturday approachable and friendly Gagarina can be Putin's "secret weapon".
Last year's Russian entry into the competition, the Tolmachevy sisters, were received with loud boos, as the country's image had collapsed internationally, as its controversial anti-gay legislation and its annexation of Crimea from the territory of Ukraine severely strained relations between Moscow and Europe.
Since then, relations between Russia and the West have remained at their worst since the Cold War. However, reporting from Vienna, Gasparyan thinks Gagarina's arrival has already dispelled last year's jeering.
"Before Gagarina's arrival in Vienna the local press were wondering things along the lines of 'Why is Putin sending us this blonde? Is she his secret weapon?' As it turns out, in a way she is."
The above video of Gagarina embracing last year's winner Conchita Wurst has already begun circulating on Russian social media, in a publicity move which Gasparyan has called "historic". Last year drag artist Wurst was controversially branded an "abomination" by the Russian Orthodox Church and the meeting between Gagarina and the Austrian drag queen has sparked insults from more conservative Russians. Russian MP Valeriy Rishkin even proposed Russia hold its own song contest to avoid similar conflicts of "values" last year.
However Gasparyan says the Russian singer has become something of a "fragile bridge" in that respect, "disarming Vienna" but also representing Russia.
Gagarina has already qualified for this Saturday's final and is one of the bookies' favourites to win. Gasparyan says that Gagarina's friendliness and attractiveness has also done Russia's image a not inconsiderable favour. "She's very pretty, well meaning and communicates with everyone. This is the kind of communication that Europeans understand."
According to the latest odds Gagarina is tipped to do well at the event with the Eurovisionworld website putting her just behind Sweden's entry Måns Zelmerlöw.
A second semi-final tomorrow will determine the remaining contestants to compete with Gagarina and the other contestants who qualified yesterday, while the grand final will be held on Saturday with the winner of the competition earning the right to stage the event in their home country the following year.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
I am a Staff Writer for Newsweek's international desk. I report on current events in Russia, the former Soviet Union ... Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
