She said that the aggression is an attack on elementary values of freedom, democracy and self-determination, on which cultural expression, academic and scientific freedom and scientific cooperation are based. The Commissioner announced the decision not to engage into further cooperation projects with Russian entities.

At the beginning of March, the European Commission suspended cooperation with Russia on research and innovation. The Commission will not conclude any new contracts nor any new agreements with Russian organisations under the Horizon Europe programme. Furthermore, the Commission is suspending payments to Russian entities under existing contracts.

The JRC is working to contribute to the Commission’s support to the Ukrainian scientific community.  It has been providing support to the relevant Commission’s services, including the Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen, in several work strands on Ukraine such as crisis coordination and humanitarian assistance, energy, CBRN threats, economic impact, sanctions, cyber preparedness/hybrid threats, support in public opinion and democratic challenges.