### CERN’s Resolution to Dissolve Connections with Russian Institutions: A Milestone in Global Scientific Cooperation
Since its inception in 1954, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, widely referred to as CERN, has stood as a symbol of global scientific collaboration. The laboratory located in Geneva has united scientists from across the globe to delve into the realms of high-energy physics, with its most notable endeavor being the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Nevertheless, the geopolitical climate has changed significantly following Russia’s incursion into Ukraine in 2022, prompting CERN to reassess its long-held alliances with Russian institutions.
In December 2023, CERN’s governing body faced the challenging choice to end its International Cooperation Agreement with the Russian Federation, set to take effect on November 30, 2024. This decision signifies the conclusion of a 60-year partnership between CERN and Russian scientific institutions. Belarus is also affected, as its cooperation agreement is scheduled to cease even sooner, on June 27, 2024.
### A Heritage of Collaboration
CERN was founded in the wake of World War II with the aim of promoting peaceful scientific inquiry and cross-border collaboration. Over the years, it has transformed into a global center for particle physics, accommodating scientists from more than 70 nations. Although Russia has never been a full member of CERN, it has been instrumental in the organization’s research initiatives since 1955. Numerous scientists affiliated with Russia have played pivotal roles in pioneering experiments, particularly those conducted at the LHC.
Russia’s observer status at CERN, which enabled its scientists to engage in experiments and assist in shaping the organization’s scientific priorities, is now drawing to a close. The decision to cut off connections with Russian institutions stems from the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine and what CERN characterized as Russia’s “illegal use of force.” This action aligns with wider international sanctions and limitations on scientific partnership with Russia.
### The Ramifications for CERN’s Research
The cessation of the cooperation agreement prompts crucial considerations regarding the future of scientific endeavors at CERN. Historically, Russia has contributed approximately 4.5 percent to the budget for LHC experiments, with its scientists significantly involved in various research initiatives. However, CERN has already initiated measures to lessen the impact of Russia’s departure. Other member nations have stepped forward to compensate for the financial gap, and some Russian researchers have found opportunities outside Russia to pursue their work at CERN.
Despite these initiatives, certain experts express concern about the long-term implications of this decision. Hannes Jung, a particle physicist and participant in the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) experiment at CERN, articulated his apprehensions in a dialogue with *Nature*. “It will leave a void. I think it’s a misconception to assume that this can be easily compensated by other scientists,” he mentioned. Jung, also affiliated with the Science4Peace Forum, champions the notion of sustaining scientific collaboration even amidst political tensions.
Conversely, some argue that the impact will be minimal, as researchers have had sufficient time to prepare for the exit. Key personnel have discovered ways to stay engaged with CERN’s projects, whether by relocating or acquiring positions within non-Russian entities. This has aided in maintaining continuity in ongoing experiments, at least temporarily.
### The Contentious Decision to Retain Ties with JINR
While CERN has severed ties with Russian institutions, it has opted to uphold its relationship with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), an intergovernmental research facility located in Dubna, close to Moscow. JINR presents a unique case, involving scientists from various nations, including several CERN member countries. This decision has ignited discussion within the scientific realm.
Hannes Jung endorses CERN’s choice to continue collaboration with JINR, stating that it “marked a shift in the management of these matters.” He believes that maintaining connections with JINR enables some degree of ongoing scientific collaboration, even amid persistent political frictions.
However, not everyone shares this viewpoint. Boris Grynyov, director of the Institute for Scintillation Materials in Kharkiv, Ukraine, denounced the decision, labeling it “a substantial error.” Grynyov and others contend that sustaining any kind of partnership with Russian-affiliated institutions undermines the international stance regarding Russia’s conduct in Ukraine.
### The Wider Context: Science and Politics
CERN’s choice to end its collaboration with Russian institutions embodies a larger movement where scientific partnerships are increasingly swayed by geopolitical developments. Traditionally, science has been perceived as a neutral arena where researchers from various countries could collaborate despite political divides. However, the invasion of Ukraine has prompted a reevaluation of this tenet, with numerous organizations opting to dissolve ties with Russian institutions as part of a broader strategy to diplomatically and economically isolate the nation.
This scenario underscores the fragile equilibrium between scientific partnership and political circumstances. While many scientists advocate for maintaining open communication channels, others assert that continuing cooperation with Russian entities risks legitimizing their actions amid ongoing conflicts.
