Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a revival of the Soviet-era alternative to the Eurovision Song Contest, Intervision, which he claimed will counter the decadence of modern Western culture. Mr Putin signed the decree on Monday, ordering the Intervision Song Contest be held in Moscow this year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a revival of the Soviet answer to the Eurovision Song Contest in an effort to counter what he says is the decadence of modern Western culture.Putin signed a decree on Monday for the Intervision Song Contest to be held in Moscow this year,

President Vladimir Putin signed a decree Monday establishing a Russian version of the Eurovision Song Contest, after the country was excluded from the continental competition nearly three years ago.

Putin has signed a decree to hold Intervision, a Kremlin-backed alternative to Eurovision, in 2025, Russian media reported on Feb. 3.

According to RIA, the Russian news agency, after being excluded from Eurovision, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, has decided to revive Intervision, a musical competition from the Soviet era. The goal is to promote Russian culture and unite countries sympathetic to Russia.

Intervision has its roots in the 1960s and 1970s when it took place in Czechoslovakia and replaced the International Song Festival in Sopot. The contemporary edition holds particular significance following Russia's exclusion from Eurovision.