Erasmus+ Office in Russia says cooperation between European and Russian universities continuing

MOSCOW. March 3 (Interfax) - Russian and European universities have not stopped cooperation as part of the European Union's Erasmus+ educational program, but, at the same time, some foreign students have left Russia, the National Erasmus+ Office in Russia told Interfax.

"To date, the National Erasmus+ Office in Russia has not received information about the severing of cooperation as part of the program between European and Russian universities. We are closely watching the relevant situation in the Russian universities that participate in the Erasmus+ program," head of the National Erasmus+ Office in Russia Olga Oleinikova said in a written response to Interfax.

"There have been isolated cases of foreign students who study at Russian universities as part of the mobility program leaving the Russian Federation at their own initiative. Information has also been received that next year's mobility programs with universities of Germany have been frozen," Oleinikova said.

"There is information that students who have completed their studies at EU universities as part of the mobility program have encountered problems with bank cards: they cannot withdraw cash or buy anything online. Repatriation flights for March have been cancelled, and students are trying to leave via third countries," she said.

"Students who have decided to cut short their studies at EU universities are experiencing the same problems. All Russian universities are supporting their students and are keeping in touch with them. We can only regret any refusal to cooperate further, as the importance of cooperation in the field of education and science is obvious," she said.

The EU-financed Erasmus+ program is aimed at supporting and developing cooperation in educational programs and student exchanges.

Russian commissioner for human rights Tatyana Moskalkova said on February 28 that some European universities were expelling Russian students because of the situation around Ukraine. The Russian Education Ministry, in turn, has said that all Russian students who study abroad and whose rights have been infringed upon may return to Russia and continue their studies at leading Russian universities.