The Ukrainian artists fiercely believe Putin is to blame for the violence that tore apart the eastern part of their country.
As of November 23, 2017, organizers of tours in Ukraine are required to apply to the SBU Security Service of Ukraine for permission allowing entertainers from Russia to perform in this country.
President Petro Poroshenko signed Law "On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On Touring Events in Ukraine", earlier adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, regarding tours of artists who are citizens of the "aggressor state".
Ukraine's highly-acclaimed actor and poet Borys Barsky says it is normal for Ukrainian cultural figures to go on tours across Russia because in such way they are able to convey to the Russians the truth about the situation in Ukraine, according to his interview with a Ukrainian online news outlet Obozrevatel.