Russian Studies Department Statement on the War in Ukraine

We endorse the statement from our national professional organization, the Association for Slavic, East European, & Eurasian Studies (ASEEES).                                         

As we stand with the Ukrainian people, we also urge everyone in our Davidson community to distinguish between the Russian people, who are living in an authoritarian state with increasingly severe penalties for free speech, and the Putin regime. The Russian people with access to real information, as opposed to state media distortions, stand against this war and are experiencing shame and horror at the actions of their government. 

The Russian Studies Department faculty are also signatories on this open letter from members of Davidson’s faculty and staff in response to the war in Ukraine.

We, the undersigned faculty and staff of Davidson College, unequivocally condemn Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, and President Putin's de facto takeover of Belarus to join him in that effort. We further reject and stand against the campaign of historical distortions, misinformation, and lies that Putin uses to justify Russia’s attack on Ukrainian sovereignty and violence against the Ukrainian people. By signing this statement, we commit to finding ways to bring attention and resources to Ukraine and its people.

As we stand firmly with the Ukrainian people, we urge the Davidson College community and the larger public to distinguish between the Russian and Belorussian people—who are living in a propagandist, authoritarian state with increasingly severe penalties for free speech—and the Putin regime. We stand with all the people of Ukraine and with all those in Russia and Belarus and countless others around the world who are protesting this war.

Open Letter From Members of Davidson’s Faculty and Staff in Response to the War in Ukraine