Statement by the YABLOKO party

A well-known historian, Doctor of Historical Sciences, professor, author of a large number of books was dismissed from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, or MGIMO, today for comparing the Russian invasion to Ukraine with Nazi Germany’s Anschluss with Austria in 1938.

MGIMO brought shame upon themselves by dismissing the professor.

There have been many cases recently when university professors were dismissed for their civil position. But the case with Andrei Zubov contains special cynicism. Also MGIMO administration stated that having one’s own opinion was “performance of an act of indecency by a person implementing educational functions, which was incompitable with further work”.

Having one’s own opinion in MGIMO is considered “the performance of the act of indecency by a person providing educational functions which is uncompitable with the further work delivery”.

The dismissal of Andrei Zubov is politically motivated and gives evidence that dissidence and any opinion different form the official point of view will be repressed. The authorities started to prosecute the teachers along with the opposition politicians, civil activists and independent mass media to establish single-mindness.

Such violation of academic freedoms principles took place only under totalitarian regimes in the XX century.

It seems that the citizens are offered to give up their freedom in trade for the Crimea.

We call Vladimir Putin to come bace to the XXI century. It is especially important for universities where the principles of international relations in modern world are being taught.

The order to dismiss Andrei Zubov should be abolished. We demand to reinstate the fired professor.

Chairman of the YABLOKO party
Sergei Mitrokhin