The European Association of Universities (EUA) has suspended the activities of universities and rectors who last week signed a declaration in support of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. According to a March 7 EU press release, support for hostilities runs counter to the association’s membership values and has already shocked the entire European scientific community, which has sought to maintain scientific ties with Russia. According to the European Association of Universities, these 12 universities will be closed until they are “aligned” with European values.
In a statement, the Russian rectors said it was “very important” to support the country’s army and the president, and said that their “main duty” was to “teach our students to be patriots and strive to help their homeland.” In response, the EEUU removed 12 Russian members, saying the statement was “diametrically opposed” to the European values they had pursued when joining the association.
Rector of the University of Ghent Rick Van de Valle, who last week led calls for Europe to remain open to scientific cooperation with Russia, said he was now consulting with the Commissioner for Human Rights for advice on how to proceed. According to him, the suspension of cooperation with the universities that signed the letter is being discussed.
“I do not want to make any statements about all Russian universities and institutes of knowledge in general, but I am very critical of those who support the statement of the Union of Rectors of Russia,” he said.
The Russian rector’s corps said that after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, they supported their country’s decision to end the eight-year confrontation between Ukraine and Donbas, as well as to demilitarize and denationalize Ukraine and thus protect itself from growing external military threats. (ed. all according to the template).
Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and Lithuania have suspended official projects with Russia in response to events in Ukraine. By the way, earlier the EU announced the termination of cross-border cooperation with Russia and Belarus (details here). And on March 5, Norway became the last country to follow suit, suspending all research and education partnerships between institutions. But German scholars have called for private contacts with their Russian counterparts.
In addition, since the start of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the European Community of Higher Education and Research has expressed its continued support for Ukrainian universities, students, staff and tourists. In support of Ukraine’s position, the EEUU in a press release issued on 2 March announced that it had called on its members and academics to do everything possible to condemn and put pressure on the end of the special operation in Ukraine. The association also said it would support Ukrainian universities and those members of the Russian academic community who oppose Russia’s position on Ukraine.
At the same time, the organization intends to convene National Rectors’ Conferences of its members to determine the best way to work together to support Ukrainian colleagues in partnership with relevant organizations. And now the association has decided to abruptly cut off contacts and cooperation with any central government agency in Russia or any other country that actively supports the special operation.