Press release

Humboldt Foundation condemns attack on Ukraine

President Hans-Christian Pape expresses solidarity with Ukrainian network members and the people of Ukraine.

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Ukrainische Flaggen in Kiew

The President of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Hans-Christian Pape, has condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine and announced reactions of the Foundation.

“The Humboldt Foundation condemns Russia’s attack on Ukraine which is in breach of international law. We fear for the lives and well-being of the Ukrainian people. Our thoughts particularly go to Humboldtians in Ukraine. We stand in solidarity with them all. Our Foundation will do everything within its means to assist its alumni and fellows from Ukraine. Due to the emergency situation in this East European country, the stays and visits of fellows and alumni are already being extended on a very flexible basis”, said Pape.

The attack marks a turning point in the Foundation’s collaboration with Russia, Pape stated. “We regret that the Russian government’s behaviour forces us to take action that will also affect members of our research network in Russia who stand for our Foundation’s values – such as freedom, dialogue and peaceful exchange – values which the Russian government has trampled on through its behaviour”, Pape stressed. 

The Humboldt Network has more than 100 members from Ukraine. Eight of them are currently being sponsored in Germany. It became clear in recent weeks when talking with Ukrainian fellows how dangerous the situation in their country is. In addition to the flexible special rules for research stays in Germany, other special measures can be arranged in connection with a sponsorship through the Philipp Schwartz Initiative for researchers from Ukraine who are at threat. 

(Press release 3/2022)

Every year, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables more than 2,000 researchers from all over the world to spend time conducting research in Germany. The Foundation maintains an interdisciplinary network of well over 30,000 Humboldtians in more than 140 countries around the world – including 61 Nobel Prize winners.

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