The Microeconomics of Competitiveness (MOC) Network condemns the Russian military invasion of Ukraine and ceases its collaboration with Russian academic institutions supporting the war. We stand by our Ukrainian colleagues that are threatened in their health and their freedom to choose their own way of life.

President Putin, in ordering military attacks against Ukraine, has committed a Crime Against Peace in violation of Article 2 of the UN Charter. Russia’s acts of war burden Ukraine with an enormous cost in human suffering, have led to a further crackdown on the civil liberties of Russians, and place international security at risk.

The MOC network is a global community of academic institutions, pursuing teaching, research, and policy efforts on competitiveness as a means to foster shared prosperity. Participation in our community is based on a shared commitment to mutual respect, peaceful collaboration across borders, and the respect for human rights. Russia’s actions violate these principles.

Our primary concern now is for the health and freedom of our Ukrainian colleagues. We want to help; many MOC members are already individually and through their academic institutions engaged in humanitarian efforts for the Ukraine. We will through the European MOC chapter coordinate activities to offer online lectures, joint research projects, and research positions.

This is a war that has been started (and can be stopped) by President Putin. Russians are being systematically lied to, and those that condemn the war face prosecution – we honor their courage. But we are also deeply disturbed to see that Russian universities have pledged their official support to this criminal war. The MOC network will cease all collaboration with Russian academic institutions that have taken this position.