Freie Universität Berlin Suspends Relations with Russian Research Institutions

Freie Universität Berlin has decided to suspend relations with scientific and academic institutions in Russia in response to the Russian attack on Ukraine. The university announced on Friday that it would put its partnerships and other cooperative activities with research institutions in Russia on hold. This includes student exchange programs as well as its strategic partnership with St. Petersburg University. Freie Universität's Liaison Office in Moscow will also close for the time being. Students, researchers, and scholars from Russia may still apply to Freie Universität Berlin for degree programs or employment. The president of Freie Universität Berlin, Professor Günter M. Ziegler stated, "Our attitude has always been to keep the pathways of communication open with our partners, even during times of crisis - to support international cooperation, even when others were cutting ties." Ziegler added, "This has always been important to Freie Universität because we want to make a distinction between political and academic interactions. However, we are breaking from that tradition now as a response to the blatant breach of international law that Russia's government has committed." The university leadership is aware that this course of action will have repercussions for scholars, researchers, and students who are themselves opposed to the war against Ukraine.