War against Ukraine: Humanitarian aid and how much morality can science bear

Abstract

An unprovoked war has impacted Ukraine. “Humanity and peace initiatives should have top priority now” [1]. The resulting outrage by the Western world together with a global alliance has imposed economic sanctions on Russia [2]. Though moral, the efficacy of economic sanctions are known to be limited as earlier shown by an empirical cross-national, time-series data analysis of 133 countries during the period from 1970 to 2005 [3]. The TheodorBillroth-Academy with its International Consortium of Research Excellence (INCORE) have so far in solidarity with the Ukraine and with scientists and Board members of 4open realized several projects for active humanitarian aid in a very short time [1]. This included medical transports to the Ukraine which were carried out by pro bono by Veterans from Germany through the Recondo Vets MMC Germany, Military Motorcycle Club (Fig. 1) and from Austria through the Green Knights, Military Motorcycle Club, Chapter 147, Austria as they work closely with the Territorial Defense Forces (of the Ukraine) (Biqcmra nepbnopiakmyoї o,opoyb) and the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine (Ukrainian Foreign Legion) (Iynepyawioyakmybq keuioy nepbnopiakmyoї o,opoyb Erpaїyb) to ensure that transports arrive where and when needed (Figs. 2–4). Furthermore, medical refugee students from the Kharkiv National Medical University (KNMU) and the Bogomolets National Medical University (NMU) were offered cost-free living along with a German language course, academic lecture and medical internship financed by the Carl-Thiem-Klinikum (CTK) in Cottbus, Germany. The TBA and INCORE continuously encourage (and demand) that European and German-speaking universities to set an example and open their doors to Ukrainian refugee medical students during the war so that they can have the opportunity to continue their studies. Finland on March 9, 2022 provided strong leadership in this regard [4]. So far, only one German University partially opened their doors as suggested, although the primary conditions will only be achievable by a minority of students because students need a valid Test for Medical Studies (TMS) result notification. Soon, Theodor Billroth’ lectures of various themes in science, education, training for students and physicians (independent of their level and stage of career), a project which originally was planned to be realized in 2023, will be realized soon (Fig. 5). This will be cross-linked by the support of 4open and EDP Sciences as increasingly students and physicians should actively be encouraged to publish their thesis also at no cost. Thus, the proposed scientific, humanitarian and peace initiatives of our colleagues provide Ukraine with much-needed assistance. Next to humanitarian aid, it is being demanded to expel Russian culture and science from the fine arts and science. Today’s science (and medicine) is changed from a compassion-based profession into a corporate-greed driven industry why halting and expelling of economy related science is seen as an act of humanitarian aid. However, culture and science need to be independent and should not become weaponized. Whether neither culture [5], nor science have prevented any violence or war revealing that such demands correspond more to a pronounced overconfidence but reflecting an utopian idealism. Can culture or science be completely separated from politics? No as both are also economic factors. Science has power and with power comes responsibility and also here silence is also not an option in the war against the Ukraine [6]. Many Russians of various professions opposed this war, even though this meant being regarded as a threat by their government [7–9]. Of course, there were some Russian scientists supporting the war [10] which clearly reveals the nationalistic views abused the term patriotism which is usual in totalitarian regimes. However, the European University Association (EUA) directly suspended the membership of 14 Russian universities whose leaders signed a pro-war statement [11]. The governments of various countries asked their universities to halt academic (government funded) collaboration or to *Corresponding author: b-bruecher@gmx.de