Open letter to our fellow scientists in Russia

We have many friends and colleagues in Russia, and we have maintained connections and collaborations during bright and dark times. We wish to maintain these connections also now and in the future.

As scientists, all of us are used to an open exchange of arguments and opinions and to a respectful discussion. As scientists all of us are trained to think independently, to distinguish facts from fake and propaganda. We believe nothing and nobody. Instead, we require facts and arguments which we critically verify, in particular if they come from politicians or military leaders. As scientists we have to be able to turn off emotions and bias, otherwise we will not find out the truth. As scientists we are able to extrapolate into the future and predict the probability of different developments, in physics, climate change or society.

We have been closely following the developments in Russia over the last decades and know about the difficult transformations. We know well about the long dispute of Russia with NATO which many Russians perceive unfair, and we know of the history of the conflict with the Ukraine. But: nothing of this justifies a war. Nothing. We urge our Russian fellow scientists to turn off emotions and realize that war is unacceptable.

KILLING AND DEATHS OF PEOPLE ARE UNACCEPTABLE. FIGHTING SHOULD BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND PERMANENTLY. ALL OPEN QUESTIONS SHOULD BE SOLVED BY FAIR NEGOTIATIONS. BOTH SIDES HAVE TO BE READY FOR COMPROMISES TO SAVE LIVES.

Agreeing on a peaceful solution of all problems is not a sacrifice for Russia. Because a „victory“ in the present war would not end the fighting and not bring security. And it would be a terrible burden for future generations of Russian and Ukrainian people. As scientists we and you are privileged in many respects. Our judgement has impact on the public opinion and on politicians. But this also gives us high responsibility for our countries, for our children and grandchildren. This means, all of us should actively stand up for an immediate end of the fights. It is in the hands of the Russian people. It is in your hands.

German plasma physicists. March 6 2022

Prof. Dr. Michael Bonitz, Kiel University, Germany
Dr. honoris causa of Russian Academy of Sciences*

Prof. Dr. Dieter H.H. Hoffmann, Xi’An Jiaotong University, China
Dr. honoris causa of Russian Academy of Sciences

Prof. Dr. Wolf-Dietrich Kraeft, Greifswald University, Germany

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Gregor Morfill, Max-Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Germany

Prof. Dr. Ronald Redmer, Univeristy of Rostock, Germany
Dr. honoris causa of Russian Academy of Sciences*

Prof. Dr. Roland Sauerbrey, Germany

*I will no longer hold this title, due to the de facto support of the war by RAS

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