ROME - Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine, is scheduled to make a pre-recorded appearance at the internationally beloved Sanremo Festival 2023 which has caused some debate among the Rai board of directors.

 Stefano Colletta, Director of Rai Entertainment, confirmed Zelensky’s appearance earlier this year, although the board has agreed to let Zelensky speak, they want to know what the pre-recorded message will say lest it contains controversial matter that could harm the reputation of the company.

 Zelensky has already made appearances at a number of notorious events including the Grammy’s, Cannes festival, Venice Festival, and earlier this year the Golden Globes, and Sanremo is the next event. His video is supposed to be at the end of the event, around midnight after the 28 singers have performed. 

 Bruno Vespa, a famous Italian tv personality, has announced his presence at the Sanremo Festival where he will interview Zelensky. Vespa said that he is looking forward to his role as an interviewer at the festival and said "Dear President, we are waiting for you for the final evening of the Festival." 

 But not everyone is as on board with Zelensky’s video as Vespa. The announcement has created a debate amongst the board of directors, some of whom are worried the message will be too contentious and harm the company. 

 The Rai company has experienced some controversy recently surrounding the Carlo Fuortes scandal recently, and tensions on the board have been high, with four abstentions, two in favor of Fuortes’s resignation, and one against. Although Fuortes will remain as CEO of the company for now, new tensions could arise as the lack of support from the majority parties has the potential to complicate matters further. At the end of February Fuortes will present the business plan, a decisive moment for the future of the company's top management.

 Although Zelensky’s appearance is not favored by everyone, given that Italy is one of the more pro-Russian countries in Europe, his video remains scheduled.

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