According to AVROTROS Director-General Taco Zimmerman, "It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the Contest, undermining its neutral character."

AVROTROS says it will sit out 2027 contest since event no longer 'considered neutral'; decision now returns to umbrella broadcaster NPO, which has yet to make a final ruling

Volgens de omroep heeft het evenement "zijn neutrale karakter" verloren.