CERN to End Collaboration with Russian Scientists Amid Ukraine Conflict

The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) will terminate cooperation with up to 500 scientists from Russian institutions due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The partnership, set to end on November 30, 2024, has also impacted around 15 Belarusian scientists. Russia criticized the decision as politicized.

In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) announced on Monday that it will cease cooperation with approximately 500 scientists affiliated with Russian institutions. The Swiss-based CERN, recognized for its research in particle physics and the Large Hadron Collider, will not renew its cooperation agreement with Russia beyond November 30, 2024.

The decision will discontinue collaboration with around 400 to 500 Russian-linked scientists, according to a CERN spokesperson. Additionally, cooperation with about 15 Belarussian scientists has also been halted.

"CERN is an international organization, but it is not an island. It's not acceptable to support scientific research when wars are taking place between countries which once had staff who worked together at CERN," the spokesperson stated. They added that all activities were suspended when the war began, and the decision has now been formalized.

Russia has previously condemned the move, labeling it politicized, discriminatory, and unacceptable. Russian scientists can still work at CERN if they are affiliated with non-Russian institutes, with approximately 90 having done so already.

CERN collaborates with around 17,000 researchers worldwide.

(With inputs from agencies.)