Denmark tells universities to suspend all cooperation with Russia

Denmark has become the second European country to sever academic ties to Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

This afternoon the country’s research minister Jesper Petersen wrote to universities to urge them to suspend research and innovation cooperation with institutions in Russia and Belarus.

He also told them to refrain from any new exchanges, according to a statement posted by the country’s research ministry.

“I call on universities and higher education institutions to suspend their cooperation with institutions in Russia and Belarus,” he said in a statement. “This would be a clear signal that aggression leads to isolation in the international community.”

“The Government condemns the actions of Russia and Belarus and supports Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” he added.

The Danish move comes after Germany last week said it would cut academic ties in response to the invasion.

It also applies pressure on other European countries like the UK, Sweden and the Netherlands who are also mulling whether to sever scientific links.