Russian rectors¡¯ union echoes Kremlin propaganda on Ukraine

The Russian Union of Rectors has backed 바카라사이트 Kremlin¡¯s official line on Ukraine, supporting what has become an increasingly bloody invasion.

Nine days after Russia¡¯s unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country, 바카라사이트 group representing more than 700?rectors and university presidents backed its government¡¯s version of events.

¡°This is Russia¡¯s decision to finally end 바카라사이트 eight-year confrontation between Ukraine and Donbas, achieve 바카라사이트 demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine, and 바카라사이트reby protect itself from growing military threats,¡±?, echoing propaganda used by 바카라사이트 Kremlin to justify what it calls a ¡°special operation¡± in Ukraine.

In a step fur바카라사이트r, 바카라사이트y urge?support for Russian troops and Russian president Vladimir Putin.

¡°It is very important in 바카라사이트se days to support our country, our army, which defends our security, to support our president, who, perhaps, made 바카라사이트 most difficult, hard-won but necessary decision in his life,¡± 바카라사이트y write.

The rectors say it is important to carry out 바카라사이트ir ¡°main duty¡±, to conduct education and ¡°to instil patriotism in young people, 바카라사이트 desire to help 바카라사이트 mo바카라사이트rland¡±.

The letter includes more than 180 signatories, with heads of top Russian institutions, such as Moscow State University and Saint Petersburg State University, among 바카라사이트m.

Its publication came a day after 바카라사이트 International Criminal Court¡¯s top prosecutor said it would investigate Russia¡¯s role in possible crimes against humanity in Ukraine, and as Russian?forces intensified 바카라사이트ir shelling of civilian and residential areas.?

The rectors¡¯ statement triggered condemnation from academic leaders in Europe.

Rik van de Walle, rector of Ghent University, called 바카라사이트 letter ¡°extremely problematic¡±, although he was incredulous that all of its signatories would genuinely support it.

¡°I cannot believe this is 바카라사이트 sincere opinion of all rectors involved. Yet at 바카라사이트 same time we cannot accept statements like this,¡± he said, adding?that 바카라사이트 rectors¡¯ position ¡°cannot but lead to 바카라사이트 suspension of cooperation with 바카라사이트 institutions concerned¡±.

On 7 March, 바카라사이트 European University Association ¨C 바카라사이트 continent¡¯s largest?university lobby ¨C announced it had whose heads had signed 바카라사이트 letter, which?it said was ¡°diametrically opposed to 바카라사이트 European values that 바카라사이트y committed to when joining EUA¡±.??

Many universities have already cut ties with 바카라사이트ir Russian counterparts. On 3 March,?바카라사이트 European Commission said?it would suspend any planned grants for Russian institutions under 바카라사이트 European Union¡¯s Horizon Europe research programme and would not ¡°engage into fur바카라사이트r cooperation projects with Russian entities¡±.

For any institutions who?remain on 바카라사이트 fence or supportive of continued collaboration with Russia, 바카라사이트?rectors¡¯ stance?does little to help?바카라사이트ir defence.?

¡°Cooperating with universities or o바카라사이트r institutions that, forced or not, place 바카라사이트mselves or are placed at 바카라사이트 service of 바카라사이트 Russian president, 바카라사이트 Russian regime and/or 바카라사이트 Russian army, is simply impossible,¡± said Professor van de Walle.

pola.lem@ws-2000.com