The Commission of the EU suspends cooperation with Russia in the field of research and innovation

The Commission of the European Union suspends cooperation with Russian organizations in the field of research, science and innovation in support of Ukraine. This was declared by the EU Commissioner, Maria Gabriel, and there is a corresponding statement.

Maria Gabriel stressed that new contracts and agreements within the Horizon Europe programme with Russia will no longer be concluded.

The commissioner said: «Payments under current contracts are already suspended. All current projects within the Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 programmes, in which Russian research organizations participate, are currently being thoroughly scrutinized».

Maria Gabriel noted that in October 2021 Ukraine signed an agreement on joining Horizon Europe programme and the Euratom Research and Training Programme.

«The Association Agreement will enter into force after Ukraine notifies the Commission of the completion of its ratification process», – she said.

Instead, the most flexible conditions will be created for students and employees of higher education institutions of Ukraine, which will make participation in the Erasmus+ project more accessible, said the Minister of Education, Shkarlet, in his telegram channel.

It should be pointed out that Erasmus+ is a programme of so-called «mobile education». More than 150 countries, including Ukraine, are the partner countries of EU’s programme.

According to the European Commissioner, Ukrainian students will be offered affordable transfer options to travel abroad. They also guarantee security and support, taking into account the personal needs of programme’s participants.

Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine added: «In addition, the leading trade association Digital Europe, which unites more than 36,000 companies, includes 96 corporations and 39 national trade associations from across Europe, insists on immediate cyber support for Ukraine, which they are ready to provide».

As it was reported educational platforms, including Coursera and EdX, have reportedly stopped working with Russian Federation, as well as, an online platform for improving the quality of English text, Grammarly, and a service for learning languages, Duolingo.

We would like to remind you that earlier Ukrainian scientists appealed to the international scientific community to block funding for Russian science.