Members of the Euromix editorial team convened to vote for the competing songs in Vidbir 2025. Who should represent Ukraine at Eurovision according to the editorial team?

The Ukrainian Eurovision national selection, “Vidbir 2025”, is set to take place tonight at 17:30, featuring 10 contestants. The winner of this local competition will represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. In anticipation of this event, Euromix editorial team members gathered to listen to the participating songs and select their favorites from the Ukrainian national selection.

Editorial Picks: Who Should Represent Ukraine?

Avi Zaikaner: First Place – Krylata – “Stay True”

I chose the song “Stay True” which includes deep lyrics of self-empowerment and a melody that manages to evoke emotions and convey different feelings as the song progresses. The song sounds current and well-produced – as if it just came out of an international music chart. Ukraine is expected to place very high again this year. Applause to Ukraine for understanding the Eurovision competition so well.

Ofek Jerassi: First Place – Fiinka – “Kultura“

The Ukrainian selection is a big disappointment, but there’s one contestant who completely saves it, and that’s Fiїnka. Fiїnka has previously competed in the Ukrainian selection with the song “Dovbush”, which despite my love for ethnic songs was too heavy and didn’t really fit the Eurovision stage. This year Fiїnka comes to the Ukrainian selection with a very strong song, in the style of “Russian Woman” by Manizha who represented Russia at Eurovision 2021 and was my winner at the time. The song talks about the culture Fiїnka came from, the Hutsul culture in western Ukraine. It’s catchy, current, the gimmick simply works, and I’d be happy to see her representing Ukraine this year and reaching a high and respectable place in the final.

Guy Solo: First Place – Masha Kondratenko – “No Time To Cry”

After a very strong national selection in 2024, Vidbir 2025 comes with some disappointment. I wasn’t particularly excited by any of the songs, and I don’t think any of them will reach a high place in the grand final in Basel. However, the song that I believe is most worthy to represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2025 is “No Time To Cry” by Masha Kondratenko. The song deals with themes of hope and coping in difficult situations. It describes the image of a ceramic doll symbolized as an abandoned and lonely figure, fighting against its cruel environment and feelings of helplessness. It expresses the character’s struggle to find her true voice and break the cycle of silence she’s in. The song conveys a sense of independence and inner strength, as the character reaches a point where she has no time to cry anymore, only to fight and be strong. With electronic pop influences and touches of traditional music along with a song with an emotional message – Masha is the worthy choice to represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2025!

Shahar Asido: First Place – Krylata – “Stay True”

My top choice is the singer KRYLATA. Based on the song and image, she seems like a young artist who can bring something special and authentic to the stage. The fact that her song addresses important issues while incorporating both Ukrainian and English allows the message to reach non-native speakers as well. I’m not familiar with the singer and assume she may lack experience on big stages, but I completely believe she’s capable of succeeding!

Roy Moreno: First Place – Masha Kondratenko – “No Time To Cry”

Ukraine is one of my favorite countries in Eurovision due to their consistently high-quality entries year after year. Unfortunately, this year I’m not feeling it as much. I find the Ukrainian national selection somewhat weaker compared to previous years and don’t feel there’s a clear standout representative. Nevertheless, I chose “No Time to Cry,” which felt the most well-crafted among the contenders and might be able to maintain Ukraine’s perfect qualification streak to the final.

Maayan Eli: First Place – Masha Kondratenko – “No Time To Cry”

There’s something chilling about “No Time to Cry” every time the chorus arrives. The melody is catchy, especially in the descent to lower tones before the chorus and then the rise to a smooth chorus with electronic elements. It’s dramatic, will look great on stage, makes you anticipate its arrival in the playlist, and undoubtedly speaks to the dark side. If it wins the national selection, “No Time to Cry” will undoubtedly be in the top 10 of Eurovision 2025.

Ronnie Glik: First Place – Fiinka – “Kultura”

The Ukrainian national selection this year is at a much lower level than last year, yet there are still strong songs that can achieve a perfect result with a powerful live performance! In my first place is the one and only perfect FIЇNKA, with a charming and frighteningly catchy Ukrainian ethnic bop that I fell in love with from the moment she won the wildcard! FIЇNKA is a charismatic and stunning singer, and I’m sure she’ll deliver an explosive live performance and win. Even if she doesn’t, I’ll be very happy for Masha, who has an emotional and perfect song!

Tal Dahan: First Place – Fiinka – “Kultura”

The Ukrainian national selection this year disappointed me greatly. In previous years, it was considered one of the strongest national selections, while this year I struggled to find songs I liked. Still, my favorite song among the options is “Kultura” by FIЇNKA, a singer who already competed in the national selection two years ago, and I loved her song then too. The singer brings ethnic Ukrainian elements to her song, which highlights the country’s uniqueness in the competition and puts its culture at the center. The song slightly reminded me of Manizha’s “Russian Woman” from Eurovision 2021, one of my all-time favorite Eurovision songs.

Aviad Berger: First Place – Masha Kondratenko – “No Time To Cry”

Wow, I don’t remember such a weak Vidbir. Will Ukraine not qualify for the final for the first time in its history? They certainly deserve it, although it’s hard for me to see that happening, with the war still ongoing. Nevertheless, I have a favorite, and it’s Masha. It’s a cool song that combines authentic Ukrainian music with modern music. She’s almost the only one here, in my opinion, who can and should reach the final. You’ve disappointed me, Ukraine, after the recent years when I loved your songs so much, simply a letdown.

Full Results

	Avi	Ofek	Guy	Shahar	Roy	Maayan	Ronnie	Tal	Aviad	Results
Masha Kondratenko	8	8	12	7	12	12	10	10	12	91
Fiinka	5	12	10	10	8	7	12	12	8	84
Krylata	12	5	7	12	10	10	5	8	6	75
Abyei	7	7	8	6	6	6	4	5	10	59
Molodi	6	6	4	8	7	8	7	6	4	56
Khayat	10	3	6	4	5	4	8	7	7	54
Ziferblat	3	4	5	5	4	5	1	3	5	35
Vlad Sherif	4	1	1	3	3	3	6	4	3	28
Future Culture	1	10	2	2	1	2	3	2	1	24
DK Energetik	2	2	3	1	2	1	2	1	2	16

List of Contestants and Their Songs:

Future Culture — “Waste My Time”
KHAYAT — “HONOR”
KRYLATA — “STAY TRUE”
MOLODI — “My Sea”
Ziferblat — “Bird of Pray“
Abyei — “Dim”
DK Energetik — “Sil”
Masha Kondratenko — “No Time to Cry”
Vlad Sherif – “Wind of Change”
FIЇNKA – “Kultura”

Click on the song title to listen!

Eurovision 2025: This will be Ukraine’s 20th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Ukraine joined the competition in 2003 and has won it three times. Ukraine’s last victory was in Eurovision 2022 with the song “Stefania” performed by Kalush Orchestra.