Russia declares German academic exchange programme undesirable

Russia has declared a German academic exchange programme to be an undesirable organization, leaving it effectively unable to operate in the country.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) said on Friday it will be forced to close its office in Moscow following the Russian Justice Ministry’s decision, which was published on Tuesday.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called Russia’s move a blow to academic freedom.

He demanded that the classification, which is tantamount to a ban, be revoked.

“Russia is deliberately creating an atmosphere of fear and isolation. Contacts with foreign countries are increasingly being criminalized,” he said on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

The undesirable label means Russian citizens are at risk of criminal punishment if they engage with the organization. It has been used to shut down many foreign non-governmental organizations in Russia.

The move effectively ends academic exchanges between Germany and Russia, which have plunged since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

While the DAAD stopped funding exchanges in Russia after the invasion, it continued offering opportunities for Russian nationals to study in Germany and maintained an office in Moscow.

Around 200 Russian nationals are currently being funded by the DAAD in Germany, out of a total of 10,500 Russian students in the country.

“We regret this decision by the Russian government,” said DAAD President Joybrato Mukherjee. “In recent years, there has continued to be local interest in DAAD scholarships for study or research stays in Germany.”

The selection process for scholarships in Moscow is to be halted, Mukherjee said.

However, Russians can continue to apply from other countries, with many having fled their homeland due to the war in Ukraine.