Eureast Platform

On Ukraine

flag Ukraine

 On this page we gather information regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. You can also consult the FAQ’s regarding the impact of the war in Ukraine, concerning work, study and/or life at Ghent University. 

Statement Russia Platform on the war in Ukraine

Ghent University’s Russia Platform is appalled by the unprovoked acts of aggression by the Russian authorities in Ukraine and condemns them in the strongest possible words.

Our hearts and thoughts are with all those in Ukraine and beyond who are affected, directly or indirectly. We stand with all the people in Ukraine, but also with those in Russia and elsewhere who oppose these atrocities. When politics fail, other channels must remain as open as possible for the exchange of thoughts and knowledge and for peaceful cooperation. Keeping open the channels for communication with Ukrainian and Russian academics and civil society is essential, especially in support of all Ukrainian universities and those academics working in Russia who have courageously spoken out against this war. We will re-evaluate our existing cooperations with academic institutions in Russia, but at the same time reinforce our commitment to critically study and assess Russian politics, society and culture through our knowledge center Cerise. We welcome any critical contributions that serve this commitment.

On behalf of the steering group. Published on 6 March 2022.

* In July, Ghent University’s Russia Platform became Eureast Platform.

On cooperation with Russian universities

‘Ghent University has suspended all forms of institutional cooperation with those Russian universities and institutes that have pledged their support for the invasion of Ukraine (be it by signing the open letter of the Russian Union of Rectors or in any other way) and that have sanctioned, and continue to do so, academics and students who have spoken out against the war and / or have exercised their academic freedom, e.g. by sharing their opinion on the current situation in Ukraine and Russia. At the same time, cooperation with Russian universities that do not support the invasion of Ukraine and do show respect for the academic freedom of their researchers and students remains possible. The same goes cooperation between academics on an individual basis.

Ghent University’s Russia Platform fully supports and endorses all three decisions. Support for the ongoing war and the assaults on civilians and / or attempts to persecute all those who exercise their academic freedom and freedom of speech can only be condemned and goes against the very idea of exchange of thoughts and knowledge and peaceful cooperation the Platform stands for. Cooperation with individual academics and cooperation with universities that do not support the invasion are needed more than ever in order to keep open any possible channels for communication with Ukrainian, Belarusian and Russian academics and civil society. For the same reason the Platform strongly speaks out against the exclusion of Belarusian and Russian students and academics based solely on their citizenship. The Platform expresses its unequivocal support for all Ukrainian academics and students who are affected by the acts of aggression by the Russian state.’

Published on 17 March 2022.

* In July, Ghent University’s Russia Platform became Eureast Platform.

Overview of support and fundraising initiatives at Ghent University and beyond

  • Aid actions by Ghent University’s students and staff for victims of the impact of the war in Ukraine: link

  • Support activities for Ukranian students and academics by ENLIGHT universities: link

  • Science for Ukraine, a community group of volunteer students and research scientists from academic institutions in Europe and around the world: link

  • Scholars at Risk network: link

  • Era4Ukraine: platform for Ukranian researchers by Euraxess: link

  • Emergency contact and information, fellowship and sabbatical opportunities for scholars and students, artists and cultural workers, journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders in need and/or at risk, compiled by the University of New Europe: link

  • Ukrainian Global University: the non-profit initiative of a vast network of educational institutions supporting Ukrainian students and scholars with the opportunities for quality education and research to rebuild Ukraine.

Russian voices against the war

In the media on the war in Ukraine

Ghent University’s researchers and academics give their expert opinion on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the ongoing war and its implications across the world (in Dutch).

This list is not exhaustive and will be updated regularly.

The GIES Occasional Paper

The GIES Occasional Paper is an initiative by the Ghent Institute for International and European Politics.
Taken aback at the shocking acts of aggression by the Russian authorities in Ukraine, the GIES research group aimed to look inwards and build on their expertise to shine a light on the crisis.
The contributions of the GIES researchers have been bundled together in the GIES Occasional Paper.

You can consult the papers through this link: https://www.ugent.be/ps/politiekewetenschappen/gies/en/gies_papers

CERISE lectures on the Russian war against Ukraine

  • “The War in Ukraine and the role of European Union” by prof. dr. Roman Petrov, 4 April 2022
    Roman Petrov (National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy), expert In EU Law and EU External Relations, shares his views on the response of the European Union to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
    Moderator: Prof. dr. Peter van Elsuwege, Jean Monnet Chair in EU law at Ghent University, Ghent European Law Institute.
    Watch this lecture
  • "International Criminal Law after Bucha: Avenues for Responsibility" by dr. Gleb Bogush, 19 April 2022
    Dr Gleb Bogush is currently a visiting researcher at the Uppsala University, and visiting lecturer at the University of Luxembourg. Prior to March 2022 he was an associate professor at Moscow State University and HSE University in Moscow, Russia, where he taught public international law and international criminal law.
    Watch this lecture
  • "Back in the USSR? The state of (social) media in Russia amid the invasion of Ukraine" by dr. Rashid Gabdulhakov, 26 April 2022
    Following the invasion of Ukraine, the domestic media landscape in Russia experienced dramatic transformations. The legislative realities have an immediate impact on free press, as realistic reporting from inside the country became an act of crime. Public discourse describes these developments as the return of the Soviet Iron Curtain in its digital incarnation. This presentation addresses the state of the media in Russia. The speaker discusses both traditional and social media and their impact on audiences in and beyond Russia.
    Watch this lecture





This page will be updated regularly.