The Association of Latvian Young Scientists (ALYS; LJZA in Latvian) strongly condemns the brutal and ungrounded Russian invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine, and stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

In support of Ukraine’s scientists who might have to flee the country, we urge Latvian science institutions to consider inviting Ukrainian scientists to continue their work in Latvia. It is critical that the Ukrainian scientists do not to lose their careers and collabortive networks, and that the Ukrainian name remains in the international science community. We also suggest that the funding for the Latvian-Ukrainian science and technology collaboration programme be diverted towards Ukrainian scientists who want to continue their research in Latvia until the situation in Ukraine changes for the better.

ALYS urges the Latvian and international science communities to cease all collaborations and activities with Russian scientists and institutions that have not clearly condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine. This includes but is not limited to serving on editorial boards of Russian science journals, reviewing manuscripts, attending events organised in and by Russian institutions, submitting collaborative project applications or joint publications. In addition, we call for the same principles to be applied to Belarus as its government has supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian scientific community is not to be blamed for the actions of President Putin. We understand that many of them have kept out of politics as voicing a critical opinion of the Russian government can cost their careers. However, the current attack on a sovereign country and the rhetoric of Putin do not leave room for neutrality anymore. The international scientific community cannot and must not tolerate support for aggressors.