Alexey Kavokin is a Franco-Russian physicist. A specialist in quantum technologies, this researcher is currently stranded in Russia. While waiting to be able to return to Europe, he watches with sadness the evolution of the sanctions against Russia which no longer concern only the economy but also science.
Indeed, for a few days, several European countries such as Germany, Norway or the Netherlands have announced the suspension of all scientific projects with Russia. Even if certain States like France especially block new collaborations, the blow is hard. For Alexey Kavokin, these measures are not only unfair but also counterproductive.
L’Express: What is your situation in Moscow and how have you lived these last fortnight?
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Alexey Kavokin : I was in Russia on February 24 when the war broke out. I had to participate in a scientific conference in the city of Sochi. During this event, we heard the news. It was a big shock for everyone. Many of us thought that military maneuvers were used as a means of pressure but that they would not lead to a real war. The local airport was closed immediately. But it reopened fairly quickly, allowing us to land in Moscow.
I should have normally continued my trip to Rome because I had to participate in another congress but the flight was canceled a few hours before departure. Since then, I have been stuck in Moscow. I’m looking for a way to go to Europe. Theoretically it is not impossible. There are no more direct flights but it seems possible to take a ticket to Istanbul and from there, a flight to France.
Do you feel more tension in the city as the war drags on in Ukraine?
Yes, absolutely. The situation is very tense here. Society remains as divided as ever. I think most of the population still supports the action of the Russian president. Among intellectuals, there are also very heated discussions on this subject. Especially since many people have family or friends in Kiev or in the rest of Ukraine. When the fighting started, some were quite happy. They said to themselves: here is finally a decisive action. But now that patriotism is waning due to pressure from sanctions and the relatively slow progress of the Russian military. Many people fear losing loved ones. Several of my colleagues have searched from Moscow as a precaution, but for the moment there is no major visible crisis here. Life is a little more expensive but calm reigns and the shops remain sufficiently stocked.
How do you react to the sanctions that are beginning to affect scientific projects?
With great sadness. It is not by attacking science that we will bend the Russian government. Moreover, scientists are not responsible for the war, even those who support the attack on Ukraine. Finally, we must not forget that modern science is based on international collaboration. Almost all the articles I publish are signed by authors from different countries. Personally, I worked for three years in China, but also in France and England. I also collaborate with two institutions located in Moscow. I can tell you that between Russian and Ukrainian scientists there has never been a war. Some Ukrainian researchers are among my friends. With them, there is no need to talk about politics. We share universal values. Science, like culture, brings countries together. Now is not the time to break that. In addition, I think it would also be penalizing for Europe.
Is the weight of Russian research so important?
When an article ends up published in a scientific journal, you cannot divide it in two and say: this part is Russian and the other, French. This is not possible in basic science. But it turns out that Europe is very close to the Russian scientific community. Of course, we often talk about space or nuclear, but Russian scientists also collaborate in other fields such as quantum physics. Before the war, we had a lot of exchanges on this subject. Several international meetings were held in Moscow.
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European researchers also participated very actively by coming to work in Russian laboratories. If now we cut all ties, then a lot of research will not be able to move forward. And as international competition is fierce, China could take the opportunity to overtake Europe. Another mess.
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