Massachusetts Institute of Technology cuts ties with Russian university, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, after Ukraine invasion

Days after Russia deployed troops into Ukraine premises and launched military actions against the European country, Massachusetts Institute of Technology officials announced that the university will be severing ties with Russian university: Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology.

MIT made the announcement on the MIT Skoltech program website on Friday, Feb. 25.

“In light of the unacceptable military actions against Ukraine by the Russian government, MIT President L. Rafael Reif, in consultation with senior leadership, determined that MIT’s relationship with the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) must end,” the announcement read.

The university said although they’re taking a stance against the Russian government’s actions they have the utmost respect for the Russian people and “profound appreciation for the contributions of the many extraordinary Russian colleagues” they have worked with.

MIT student researchers leading Skoltech projects will still be able to complete their research and academic work, the university said.

The Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology told the Associated Press that it has nine ongoing projects with MIT and remains “in close contact with our colleagues at MIT.”

Federal law enforcement officials and foreign policy experts have voiced concerns about the risk of espionage and technology theft that could come from MIT’s partnership with the school, which has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government, GBH News reported.

MIT first partnered with the nonprofit Skolkovo Foundation in 2011, MIT’s website stated, to establish the research university as part of a Russian government effort to create a science and technology hub akin to California’s Silicon Valley or Massachusetts’ Kendall Square.

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