Estonian universities stop cooperation with counterparts in Russia, Belarus

TALLINN – Due to the Russian aggression, Estonia's public universities have suspended cooperation with Russian and Belarusian institutions of higher education and research.

Estonian public universities consider Russia's aggression in Ukraine unjustified and condemn the military attack on an independent state.

"Academic communities all over the world, including in Russia and Belarus, have a moral responsibility to stand up for peace, academic and democratic values," said the chairman of  Universities Estonia, Mart Kalm.

"We see and acknowledge the many Russian scientists and science journalists who have spoken out against the war started by Russia in the heart of Europe. We regret the silence of Russian and Belarusian universities and research organizations on this subject. We now need every channel to stop the war in Ukraine, and universities, given their weight in society, must also make their contribution," Kalm, rector of the Estonian Academy of Arts, said.

Universities Estonia, a non-profit association, brings together the Estonian Academy of Arts, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theater, the Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tallinn University, Tallinn University of Technology, and the University of Tartu.