Football, Eurovision and business rush to ditch links to Moscow over Ukraine invasion

Cancellation of events and exodus of ex-EU officials from Russian firms could wreck the country's soft power' credentials

The Royal Opera House cancelled a season of performances by Moscow's famed Bolshoi Ballet, European football's governing body took the Champions League final away from St Petersburg, and a host of Russian businesses were rocked by resignations of big-name European directors. In the hours and days following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, it became clear that Russia is no longer a welcome member of western society.

For a long time, Russia appeared to be working tirelessly on its soft power" credentials, spending billions of roubles to portray itself as a welcoming member of the international community, one that was a victim of western bias and Russophobia".