Ukraine is developing a mechanism by which music streaming platforms will restrict access to Russian artists based on sanctions decisions of the National Security and Defense Council.
Ukraine is developing a mechanism by which music streaming platforms will restrict access to Russian artists based on sanctions decisions of the National Security and Defense Council.
This was stated in a comment to Interfax-Ukraine by the head of the subcommittee on the music industry of the parliamentary committee on humanitarian and information policy, President of UAME Oleksandr Sanchenko. According to him, industry organizations have already formed a list of Russian artists and submitted it to the SBU. Then these materials can be sent to the Ministry of Culture or directly for consideration by the NSDC. Some of these cases are already in the final stage, others are in the works.
In parallel, communication took place with large streaming platforms regarding the technical implementation of restrictions. According to Sanchenko, the services outlined two possible scenarios: either a general ban on language grounds through the law, or blocking specific artists based on NSDC sanctions with access restrictions based on geolocation in Ukraine. The first option, as the deputy noted, does not correspond to Ukraine’s European integration course, so now the focus is on the sanctions mechanism.
Currently, there are approximately 120 Russian performers for whom restrictive decisions have already been taken or are being prepared. It is expected that the NSDC will soon provide the relevant information to streaming services. Whether all platforms will agree to implement such decisions will become clear approximately by March 2026.
Separately, Sanchenko noted that the issue of the so-called «good Russians» remains open. Formally, the legislation provides for the possibility of «white lists», but no artist has yet used the procedure of publicly condemning aggression and appealing to the SBU. At the same time, the Russian-language repertoire of Ukrainian performers, in his opinion, will naturally decrease over time, especially under the condition of state support for Ukrainian-language music.
In February, a petition to block Russian-language music on streaming services gained the necessary number of votes, but the government declared that there was no legal basis for a language ban. After that, UAME initiated the expansion of sanctions lists in the cultural sphere as an alternative tool of restrictions.
Previously, dev.ua wrote about how language ombudsman Olena Ivanovska told how Ukrainian officials are working to block Russian music in Ukraine on popular streaming services.
