The Netherlands Academy of Technology and Innovation (AcTI) is dismayed by the large-scale military invasion of Ukraine at the instigation of the Russian government. We condemn this attack on the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, our sympathy and solidarity go out to them. We also wish to express our solidarity with the Academy of Technological Sciences of Ukraine and with all Ukrainian scientists and engineers in the face of the ordeals they are going through as a result of the invasion of their country by the armed forces of the Russian Federation.
The Netherlands Academy of Technology and Innovation considers the Russian invasion as an attack on the fundamental values of freedom, democracy and self-determination, which in turn provide the basis for academic freedom and opportunities for scientific and technical progress.
The Netherlands Academy of Technology and Innovation also wishes to pay tribute to the courageous stand taken by many members of the Russian Academy of Engineering, who added their signatures to those of several thousand scientists and scientific journalists from their country in an open letter denouncing the aggression towards Ukraine by the Russian Federation and calling for its immediate cessation.
The courageous fight of the Ukrainian people shows their attachment to freedom which they are ready to pay with their lives. In a multidimensional world, close scientific and technical international cooperation, in science and industry as in many other fields, is a necessity and requires respect for freedom, the freedom of peoples to choose their future and their freedom to think and express themselves.
Jointly with the universities, technical institutes, corporations and other organizations represented by its members, the Netherlands Academy of Technology and Innovation will work to ensure that the reception in the Netherlands of Ukrainian refugees, especially scientists and engineers, is worthy of our tradition. We are committed to enabling a future in which peace prevails and standards of living and prosperity are secured through international cooperation and innovation.