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Since Russian President Vladimir Putin , universities across Europe and the United States have and cut ties with Russia altogether. In the following Q&A, Arik Burakovsky, an between the U.S. and Russia, shines light on the future of cooperation between Russia and the West in the realm of higher education.

What kinds of ties have existed between Western and Russian universities?

Since the end of the Cold War in 1991, Western and Russian higher education institutions have formed and . These activities have included academic exchanges, curriculum development, joint online courses and collaborative research projects.

Russia has worked over the past two decades to make its universities . The Russian government its higher education system. This meant moving away from Soviet traditions and , particularly transitioning from the one-tier, five-year 鈥渟pecialist鈥� degree to the two-tier 鈥渂achelor-master鈥� system.

In their , Russian universities built throughout former Soviet countries. They also offered more opportunities for and attracted more international students. The nearly tripled, from 100,900 in the 2004-2005 academic year to 282,900 a decade later.

Russian universities have opened and established joint- and dual-degree programs with Western universities in a variety of disciplines. For example, the offers joint bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree diplomas with the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.

What have these relationships produced?

Western and Russian students have learned about each other鈥檚 . Scientists in Russia and the West have worked together on research projects related to , , , and many other areas.

However, as geopolitical tensions grew over time, the Russian authorities became apprehensive about what they believed to be efforts 鈥渢o educate young people in a pro-Western way, and inculcate a hostile ideology.鈥� Subsequently, Putin began to stifle by imposing on them.

Russia has dissolved academic connections with the West through legislation on so-called 鈥溾�� and 鈥�.鈥� The government ramped up scrutiny of foreign funding and outlawed dozens of Western think tanks, charities, and universities that previously had worked in Russia. These banned organizations include the , a nonpartisan international affairs think tank in Washington, D.C., and , a private liberal arts college in New York state.

In 2021, Russia not approved by the government. This includes cooperation with foreign universities. Before Russian academics meet with foreign scholars, they must .

In my work at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University since 2017, I have managed collaborative teaching, research and academic exchanges with universities and think tanks in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Vladivostok. I have seen students and experts in the two countries of international affairs by and learning from one another.

These interactions were formally ended by the university where I work on March 15, 2022, as they are now considered 鈥�.鈥�

Does Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine threaten these relationships?

Yes. The Ukrainian government has of Russia. Many colleges have . They have also , and . These moves are all part of a against the invasion.

While many academic leaders have about moving too quickly, some American and European universities have already with Russia completely. Universities in and collectively decided to suspend all ties with Russia.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology ended its with the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Moscow on Feb. 25. The partnership, which began in 2010, had been bolstered by a in 2019. Yet the program had been since 2018 over sponsorship from .

Many European governments, such as , , , , , have asked their universities to cut ties with Russia entirely. The United Kingdom announced on March 27 that it will for all research projects with links to Russia.

What are the reasons given for and against severing ties?

Proponents claim these actions are needed to against Putin. They also say they are meant to , reduce the , block and prevent . Chris Philp, the United Kingdom鈥檚 minister for technology and the digital economy, says he does not see how 鈥渁nyone can collaborate with Russian universities.鈥�

Opponents argue that by shutting out Russian academia, the West is and for international academic cooperation broadly. They maintain that promotes democracy and human rights, helps inside Russia and encourages conflict resolution.

Lawrence Bacow, president of Harvard University, emphasizes the value of . He points out that 鈥渋ndividuals are not necessarily responsible for the policies of their governments.鈥� On March 9, the university鈥檚 Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies with Russian universities whose administrations expressed support for the war.

How will these severed ties affect higher education in Russia?

By closing lines of communication with Russia, Western universities may be Putin鈥檚 efforts to isolate Russian students and academics. Putin wants to convince and academics, who and than the rest of the population, that there is no hope for them now that they are alone.

they increasingly feel disconnected from the West and disheartened about the future of Russian science. The Russian government declared on March 22 that it will in international conferences.

Are Russian academics free to condemn the invasion?

A climate of fear reigns over people in Russia who oppose the war. A new law punishes the spread of about the military with up to 15 years in prison. In his televised speech on March 16, Putin vowed to cleanse Russia of pro-Western 鈥�,鈥� setting the stage for a severe domestic crackdown.

Russian scholars are unable to criticize the invasion without risking employment terminations, fines and jail sentences. Saint Petersburg State University has who were detained at anti-war protests. While issued a statement of support for the 鈥渟pecial military operation鈥� in Ukraine, voiced their opposition to the war in an open letter condemning the hostilities.

of fled the country in the wake of the war. They are afraid of political persecution and conscription. As , some universities abroad have opened temporary teaching and research positions for .

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