The CERN Council met this week, and high on the agenda was a topic that deeply concerns us all: the ongoing brutal invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, aided by the Republic of Belarus. Yesterday the CERN Council declared that it intends to terminate CERN’s International Cooperation Agreements with Russia and Belarus at their expiration dates in 2024. However, the situation will continue to be monitored carefully and the Council stands ready to take any further decision in the light of developments in Ukraine. These measures confirm the Council’s strong condemnation of the invasion, while leaving the door ajar for continued scientific collaboration should conditions allow in the future.

The Council reaffirmed that all decisions taken to date, along with all the actions undertaken by the Management, which have had a marked impact on the involvement of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus in the scientific programme of the Organization, remain in force until further Council decision.

Non-renewal of the International Cooperation Agreements would have significant consequences for many researchers affiliated to Russian and Belarussian institutes, as well as CERN’s scientific programme. Yesterday’s decision allows such researchers to continue their scientific work at CERN until the current agreements expire and to plan for their future.   

The Council also decided to review CERN’s future cooperation with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) well in advance of the expiration of the current International Cooperation Agreement in January 2025.

The CERN management stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and condemns, in the strongest terms, the military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, deploring the resulting loss of life and humanitarian impact. Measures have already been put in place to support the Ukrainian community at CERN and Ukrainian people more generally.

I would like to invite you to an on-site meeting on 28 June at 3.00 p.m. in the Main Auditorium at which the Directors and I will give you an update on the ongoing activities and report about this week’s Council meetings. More information and the agenda will follow in the coming week.