Nobel laureates call on world leaders to abandon illusions about Putin and increase aid to Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
195 Nobel laureates from various fields called on world leaders to abandon illusions about the Putin regime, increase aid to Ukraine to ensure its victory, support the Russian democratic opposition, and take collective action to establish peace in Europe and prevent global catastrophe.
On March 27, 40 Nobel laureates from different countries and fields issued an open letter to scientists and leaders around the world, calling for "getting rid of illusions" about Vladimir Putin and increasing aid to Ukraine. This letter has now been signed by 195 scientists. Written by UNN with reference to t-invariant
The war in Ukraine and the murder of Alexei Navalny are not only a concern for Russia and Ukraine. The Putin regime has shown that it poses a clear and present danger to humanity. Since coming to power in 2000, Putin has systematically dismantled post-Soviet democratic institutions and fomented conflicts in the former Soviet Union. The full-scale aggression against Ukraine and the murder of Alexei Navalny illustrate the escalation of the threat to a new level, as the Putin regime no longer recognizes any limits to its violations of human rights and international norms.
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The global community of scholars insists that humanity can avoid self-destruction only by adhering to the principles of democracy and observing international human rights laws. However, the Putin regime cynically tramples on these principles. Scientists argue that Russian dictator Putin has turned the country into a heavily militarized police state armed with the largest nuclear arsenal, which now threatens the existence of the entire world. The scientists also noted that Navalny and other Russian opposition figures have warned of these dangers, echoing the legacy of their great predecessor and 1975 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Academician Andrei Sakharov.
We, scientists from around the world, call on world leaders to stand firmly for peace, progress, and human rights. As members of the international academic community, we are deeply concerned that scientific progress is at risk when dictators undermine intellectual freedom, especially at a time when global cooperation is more important than ever in the shadow of worldwide pandemics, climate change, and the existential threat of weapons of mass destruction.We call on world leaders and all people of goodwill to shed any illusions about Mr. Putin and his criminal regime. History teaches us that to appease an aggressor is to encourage further crimes against humanity. No temporary benefits can justify this. We are determined not to repeat Munich 1938!"
The scientific community's requirements for world leaders include the following:
- Dramatically increase aid to Ukraine. Ukraine must win, not just "not lose." Timely assistance will reduce human losses and help drive the aggressor from Ukrainian soil. Putin's defeat in the act of military aggression will be seen as a moral victory for millions of Russians, which will boost their hopes for a democratic future and mobilize their anti-war movement.
- Protect human rights and support the democratic opposition in Russia. The international community must unite to protect political prisoners currently being tortured in Russia. The lives of opposition leaders Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin, Lilia Chanysheva and many others are under threat.
- Strengthen support for Russian citizens who face the risk of reprisals because of their democratic and anti-war political beliefs and are in need of asylum.
- Support Russian democratic anti-Putin organizations, including support for independent Russian media, whose role in regime change is critical.
- Delegitimize Putin's illegal power in Russia. Despite its propaganda, the Putin regime is desperate for recognition from the international community. A refusal to recognize Putin's re-election by world leaders would send a powerful message that the world can no longer consider him a "partner.
Scientists are convinced that through collective action we can contribute to peace in Europe and prevent a global catastrophe. This petition has been signed by:
1. Svetlana Alexievich , winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Literature
2. Harvey J. Alter , 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
3. Françoise Barré-Sinoussi , winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
4. Thomas R. Czech , winner of the 1989 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
5. Elias James Corey , Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1990
6. Shirin Ebadi , 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner
7. Sheldon Lee Glashow , winner of the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics
8. Carol W. Greider , 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
9. Roald Hoffmann , winner of the 1981 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
10. Louis J. Ignarro , winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
11. Elfrieda Jelinek , winner of the 2004 Nobel Prize in Literature
12. Takaaki Kajita , 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics
13. Roger Kornberg , 2006 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
14. Ferenc Krausch , Nobel Prize in Physics 2023
15. Brian K. Kobilka , winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
16. Roderick McKinnon , winner of the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
17. Barry J. Marshall , 2005 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
18. John S. Mather , winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physics
19. Michel Major , 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics
20. May-Britt Moser , winner of the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
21. Edward Ingyalde Moser , 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
22. Hertha Müller , winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Literature
23. Paul Nurse , 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
24. James Peebles , 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics
25. William D. Phillips , Nobel Prize in Physics 1997
26. H. David Politzer , 2004 Nobel Prize in Physics
27. Charles M. Rice , winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
28. Sir Richard J. Roberts , winner of the 1993 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
29. Bert Sackmann , 1991 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
30. Randy W. Sheckman , winner of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
31. Gregg L. Semenza , 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
32. Vernon Smith , winner of the 2002 Nobel Prize in Economics
33. Wole Soyinka , winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature
34. Gerardus 't Hoft , winner of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Physics
35. Jack W. Shostak , 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
36. Drew Weissman , 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
37. Eric F. Wischaus , 1995 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
38. Jodi Williams , Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1997
39. Oleksandra Matviychuk , head of the Center for Civil Liberties, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2022
40. International Memorial Association (International Historical, Educational, Human Rights and Charitable Society "Memorial" - ed.), Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2022
In addition to the above laureates, this petition was signed by 195 other scientists.
