Statement by members of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Announcing

We, the members of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences, appeal to the scientists of Russia and all countries of the world.

Many years of confrontation in Ukraine accompanied by the death and deprivation of civilians led to an acute military conflict. We consider it extremely important to reach the ceasefire and peaceful settlement through the negotiation process. We are seriously concerned about lives and health of people, including our colleagues – scientists, who are in the war zone on the territory of Donbass and Ukraine.

We call for an immediate resolution of humanitarian issues related, first of all, to ensuring the security and living conditions of the civilian population. We appeal to all parties to ensure the safety of scientific, educational, and cultural institutions, monuments of historical heritage. Of particular importance is preventing the destruction of nuclear power plants, chemical industry objects, and other critical infrastructure facilities.

We urge our colleagues from all countries around the world, national academies of sciences, international and national scientific associations, as well as our other partners in the scientific and educational space, to refrain from positions and actions dictated not by the interests of science, but by the political environment and the acuteness of the situation. We condemn any attempts to exert political pressure on researchers, teachers, graduate students and students on the grounds of nationality or citizenship.

We call on the global scientific community to continuе and develop cooperation, strengthen international scientific and educational ties, and prevent any attempts to restrict access to international scientific infrastructure, publication opportunities, and open databases.

We consider it necessary to intensify scientific diplomacy and strengthen the movement of scientists for peace, international security, conflict resolution, reduction of military tension and prevention of the threat of nuclear war.