The invasion of the Russian armed forces in neighboring Ukraine was met with shock. "The war in Ukraine is a blatant breach of international law that cannot be justified by anything," said Rector Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch. "We appeal to Russia to immediately cease hostilities and stop the killing. Our thoughts are with those affected and victims of this criminal act."
He said the University of Bonn has a sustained commitment to peace, openness to the world and international exchange, even beyond system boundaries. In solidarity with the universities and research institutions in Germany, the University of Bonn joins the voices from academia that uni sono condemn the Russian aggression. As a first measure, the university management has decided to "freeze" cooperations with universities and research institutions in Russia; financial transfers will be stopped until further notice and no new projects will be started.
As far as the University of Bonn is aware, no Bonn university members are currently staying in Ukraine, Russia or Belarus. On behalf of the entire university, Prof. Hoch expressed his sympathy to the 111 students from Ukraine who are enrolled at the University of Bonn and assured them that the university will do its best to support them. A hotline is currently being set up for them: At 0228/73-5544, affected students can call in.
In this context, the University of Bonn also refers to support options that the German Academic Exchange Service will set up for researchers and students on its website (https://www.daad.de).
On a student initiative, a demonstration against the war in Ukraine will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2, starting at 5 p.m. in the Hofgarten.
As a visible sign of the University of Bonn's solidarity with those affected by and victims of Russian aggression in Ukraine, the baroque main building of the university will be illuminated with the Ukrainian national colors on the courtyard garden side in the evening.
Contact for the media:
Prof. Dr. Andreas Archut
Department for university communication
Tel. 0228/73-7647
E-mail: kommunikation@uni-bonn.de