Visiting Korolev seems much more realistic to me than visiting Volgograd.

You're not planning to go to either place anyway. That's one thing.
Now, imagine this. It's 2012. A decision is made to hold the event in Yekaterinburg. We make arrangements with the venue. We take on the responsibility.
And then "X" bursts in with a proposal – let me join in, just in case I feel like it?..
Would you have liked that in 2012?
Let me explain it another way... A vote was announced. Its deadlines were set. Based on these deadlines, the organizers took a break in negotiations with the venue owners. And these deadlines were communicated to the venue owners (so that by February 6th, they would know whether we confirm the booking or not).