Following the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is restricting its exchange with the Russian Federation. At the same time, the exchange organisation is sticking to its long-standing partner institutions in Russia. 

"Russia's attack on Ukraine was and is a massive violation of international law. There can be no normal relations with a state that is waging a war of aggression against its neighbouring country in the middle of Europe, not even in foreign science policy. That is why we are currently restricting the German-Russian exchange relations funded by the DAAD," said DAAD President Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee.

The DAAD is stopping applications for Russia scholarships and cancelling the selection for DAAD scholarships to Russia. Even German scholarship holders who have already been selected cannot currently receive financial support for a planned stay in Russia. The DAAD expects German universities to suspend all DAAD-funded project activities with partner institutions in Russia and Belarus. 

"We know that this step also creates injustice and affects numerous academics and students who are committed to peaceful and constitutional conditions as well as good neighbourly relations. We are aware that many of our Russian friends and our Russian partner institutions reject the campaign against Ukraine from the bottom of their hearts. At the same time, in view of the war, we believe it is imperative to critically review the promotion of exchange relations with Russia," Joybrato Mukherjee continued.

The measures taken now - in consultation with the German government and after discussion with the German Rectors' Conference and the German universities - could be further adjusted in the coming days and weeks. "We must recognise that we are facing a major foreign, defence and security policy challenge. A challenge that has not been seen in this form in Europe since the Second World War and which is shaking the European foundation of values. Foreign science policy must also ask itself what contribution it can make to the overall strategy of the German government and the European Union to isolate Russia," says the DAAD President.