2 / 2022 // LEOPOLDINA / NEWS 7
Many Western countries as well as Ukraine ’ s friendly Eastern European neighbours already support Ukrainian science . Sanctioned Russian science is now extremely isolated . While over 8,000 Russian scientists and intellectuals have published an open letter of protest against the war , the Russian regime is responding with increasing repression .
It is difficult to assess how widespread the protest attitude is within Russian academia and how many dissidents have already left Russia . Nevertheless , Russian universities in particular publicly support the war . In a statement , the RAN Presidium supported the official reading of the war but also made a cautious differentiation .
Flight from the war zone is taking Ukrainian researchers and students out of the country to e . g . Germany . The academic community in Germany has responded with numerous offers of assistance , including short-term and initially temporary integration into ongoing research projects and study programmes at German universities .
The National Academic Contact Point Ukraine was established on behalf of the Standing Conference of
“ The turning point caused by the war in Ukraine is leading to the reorientation in German science diplomacy .”
the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs and the Alliance of Science Organisations in Germany . The website is administered by the German Academic Exchange Service as a central information platform and offers services for Ukrainian researchers and students in Germany as well as advice on legal and administrative aspects .
The Leopoldina provides financial and organisational support for the programme of the Polish Academy of Sciences ( PAN ) for the temporary accommodation of refugee researchers from Ukraine at PAN institutes in Poland . This is to be the start of a trilateral cooperation between the Leopoldina , the Polish and the Ukrainian National Academies in the reconstruction of Ukrainian sciences after the war .
This war represents a turning point with unforeseeable consequences . With its invasion of Ukraine , Russia has excluded itself from the international community of states . Cooperation with Russia and the image of Russia are also being reconsidered in Germany in order to be better able to deal with the “ aftermath .”
Trilateral partnership
The Leopoldina relies on science diplomacy and draws on many years of experience with Western Balkan cooperation as part of the Berlin Process , where it acts as a mediator in building a European future for a region which suffered several wars between 1991 and 1999 . The approaches which follow are based on clear principles and are always being subject to the evolving situation .
The primary focus is on Ukraine . In a trilateral cooperation with the academies of Poland and Ukraine , the Leopoldina will identify needs for the reconstruction of Ukrainian science and – within the scope of possibilities – develop targeted measures .
In addition , the Leopoldina will continue its close coordination with the G7 science academies . The break caused by the war in Ukraine is leading to a reorientation in German science diplomacy . As one of the leading players in this field , the Leopoldina will help shape the new era .
■ LB , SWE
Joint statements Alliance of Science Organisations in Germany Science7
Ad hoc statement on energy security
Contribution to the discussion on stopping gas supplies from Russia
The war against Ukraine has sparked a heated debate on the economic sanctions to be imposed on Russia by the European Union ( EU ). Among other things , discussion has focused on putting a stop to further deliveries of Russian natural gas . Potential ways of replacing Russian natural gas in Germany and the rest of the European Union in the short , medium and long term – especially with renewable energy – is discussed in the Leopoldina ’ s ad hoc statement on “ Energy alternatives to Russian natural gas in Germany and the rest of Europe ” published on 8 March .
In it , the authors advocate the procurement of liquefied gas , the creation of a robust reserve of energy carriers and the expansion of the hydrogen infrastructure . The statement concludes that the German economy could manage a situation with zero Russian gas imports – even at short notice . The immediate implementation of a package of measures could help avoid energy shortages and cushion their economic and social impacts .
To prepare for a potential stop of Russian natural gas imports to the EU , a phased plan of action is needed , consisting of immediate steps , medium-term diversification of energy supply and efforts to incorporate these steps into a transformation roadmap guiding us to a sustainable energy supply .
The current situation is calling for a more proactive approach to restructuring the energy system than ever before . This can be achieved by following two tracks simultaneously – the diversified internationalisation of supply and the gradual replacement of energy sources . ■ RED
Ad hoc statement “ Energy alternatives to Russian natural gas in Germany and the rest of Europe ”