Berlin – In Russia, thousands of scientists and academics have opposed the war in Ukraine. By March 5, despite great personal risks, 7,000 people had signed: Here is the wording of the open letter:
“We, Russian scientists and science journalists, strongly protest against the military action launched by our country’s armed forces in Ukraine. This fatal step results in enormous loss of life and undermines the foundations of the established system of international security. Responsibility for unleashing a new war in Europe rests solely with Russia.
There is no reasonable justification for this war. Attempts to use the situation in Donbass as a pretext for a military operation are not credible. It is clear that Ukraine does not pose a threat to the security of our country. A war against them is unfair and frankly pointless. Ukraine was and is a country close to us. Many of us have relatives, friends and colleagues in Ukraine. Our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers fought together against National Socialism.
The unleashing of war for the geopolitical ambitions of the Russian leadership, driven by dubious historical-political fantasies, is a cynical betrayal of their memory. We respect Ukrainian statehood, which is based on truly functioning democratic institutions. We understand our neighbors’ European decision.
We are convinced that all problems in relations between our countries can be solved peacefully. By unleashing war, Russia has condemned itself to international isolation, to the position of a pariah state. This means that we scientists will no longer be able to do our work properly: scientific research is unthinkable without extensive collaboration with colleagues from other countries.
The isolation of Russia from the world means further cultural and technological degradation of our country, which does not offer positive prospects. A war with Ukraine is a step in the wrong direction. We are bitterly aware that our country, which played a crucial role in the victory over Nazism, has now become the instigator of a new war on the European continent. We demand the immediate cessation of all military actions against Ukraine. We demand respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state. We demand peace for our countries.”