CERN, Europe’s physics laboratory, has decided to terminate cooperation agreements with Russia and its ally Belarus over the war in Ukraine. The decision was finalized in December 2022 and will result in the exclusion of both countries from participating in CERN activities. While Belarus’s agreement expired last June, Russia’s cooperation will officially end on November 30. This move will affect around 500 scientists affiliated with Russian institutes who will no longer be able to collaborate with CERN.
The termination of cooperation agreements with Russia and Belarus has already impacted the scientific community. Approximately 15 Belarusian scientists have been cut off from working with CERN, and hundreds of Russian scientists will soon face the same fate. These researchers are part of a global community of around 17,000 scientists who participate in CERN-related work, including experiments and data analysis. Despite this decision, scientists of Russian nationality who are affiliated with other institutes will not be affected, allowing around 90 Russians to continue their collaboration with CERN.
The decision to exclude Russia from cooperation with CERN will also have financial implications. Russia had been contributing around 4.5 percent towards the lab’s operational costs annually, totaling approximately 2.3 million Swiss francs. Additionally, Russia had committed to providing 40 million francs towards the upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which is set to increase the number of detectable events by a factor of 10 and is scheduled to come online in 2029. Other member states will step in to cover Russia’s budget contribution, and CERN has stated that there will be no delays in the LHC upgrade despite the loss of Russian funding.
It was emphasized that the decision to halt cooperation with Russia will not affect employees at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Dubna, located near Moscow. JINR is considered an international organization, and its employees will not be impacted by CERN’s decision. The exclusion of Russia from cooperation with CERN marks a significant shift in international scientific collaboration and highlights the consequences of geopolitical conflicts on research partnerships. Despite these challenges, CERN remains committed to its mission of advancing scientific knowledge and will continue to work with scientists from around the world.
The termination of cooperation agreements with Russia and Belarus reflects CERN’s stance on the war in Ukraine and its commitment to upholding ethical and humanitarian principles. By severing ties with these countries, CERN is sending a strong message about the importance of promoting peace and stability through international cooperation in the scientific community. While the decision may lead to challenges and disruptions for affected scientists, CERN’s leadership believes it is a necessary step to take a stand against actions that go against the values of the organization.
Overall, the decision to end cooperation with Russia and Belarus will impact hundreds of scientists, both directly and indirectly, as well as have financial implications for CERN. However, the organization remains determined to move forward with its research and collaborations with scientists from around the world. By prioritizing ethical considerations and promoting international cooperation, CERN aims to uphold its mission of advancing scientific knowledge and contributing to global peace and understanding. Despite the challenges posed by geopolitical conflicts, CERN remains committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive scientific community that transcends national boundaries.
