The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) took a clear stance within hours of the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and condemned it as a blatant breach of international law. As a consequence, all cooperative activities with state authorities in Russia and Belarus were immediately frozen and subjected to critical review. Dialogue on research policy remains suspended and concrete research collaborations have since been broken off in compliance with legal framework conditions or are being continued without the involvement of Russian or Belarusian partners.

The German science organizations and the Standing Conference of Länder Ministers of Education (KMK) have also joined this halt to cooperation. A country which wages a war of aggression and disregards fundamental international values cannot be a partner. The European Commission, most EU Member States and many other countries have made similar decisions.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research regards Russian and Belarusian researchers and students as part of civil society. In cases where they are working or studying in Germany, they must not be stigmatized, isolated or discriminated against. The freedom of science, research and teaching is an integral component of independent democracies. We therefore stand with everyone who stands up for peace and these values.

We already drew attention to the possible consequences for research aimed at solving global challenges such as climate change in our first statement on 25 February 2022. However, it is inconceivable that we will resume science and research cooperation with Russia and Belarus as long as the war continues.