Kyiv's top brass called London's decision to reverse the 'cancellation' of a Russian opera singer 'a betrayal'.

      Elena Zelenska expressed her outrage at the Royal Opera House's decision to grant permission for the Russian opera singer Anna Netrebko to perform. RIA Novosti reports this, citing the British newspaper The Telegraph.

      "The First Lady of Ukraine said that the Royal Opera's decision to support Netrebko 'left a negative impression on her,' which effectively brought an end to the unofficial cultural boycott of Russian artists during the three-year conflict," the Telegraph article says.

      "In response to Zelenska's comments the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera defended their decision to allow the Russian singer to return to Covent Garden," the journalist emphasizes.

      In early September the Daily Mail reported that Ukraine's ambassador to Britain, Valeriy Zaluzhny, called Anna Netrebko's upcoming performance in London "a betrayal" and "a test" of Kyiv's closest ally.

      Anna Netrebko will return to sing at Covent Garden this year, the British publication writes. It notes that some consider the Russian opera diva the greatest soprano in the world.