In a letter, the university rectors of Russia call on them to support Vladimir Putin and his actions in Ukraine. Irina Busygina from the Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Saint Petersburg is shocked.
Interviewed by
Silke Bigalke, Moscow
Universities should be places where critical thinking is not only possible, but taught. And in Russia? The Kremlin is so afraid of critical students that it has been increasing the pressure on the universities for years. This has been all the more true since February 24th. Ironically, the Russian university rectors all signed a letter in March that exemplifies the unfreedom of the universities: “It is very important these days,” it says, “to support our country, our army, which defends our security, our to support President who has made perhaps the most difficult, painful but necessary decision of his life.”