The University of Freiburg’s position on the war in Ukraine

Andreas Rauscher on social media attention
October 25, 2022

Social media play an important role in the war against Ukraine. Dr Andreas Rauscher from the Institute for Media Cultural Studies explains, among other things, how Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj uses them.

Andreas Gelz on France’s position
August 16, 2022

“The country is indeed experiencing watershed moment,” says Prof. Dr. Andreas Gelz about the new political majority in France. The Romance philologist explains France’s position regarding the war in Ukraine, talks about Macron’s efforts to reach a ceasefire and about the security of France’s gas supply.

Sieglinde Lemke explains the role of the USA
July 19, 2022

“We’re already seeing rising prices in Europe and in the USA,” explains the American studies professor. She describes what the war means for the US economy and what position the USA is taking on the invasion of Ukraine.

Jan Henrik Klement on the Protection of Freedom of Information by Law
June 9, 2022

“It’s about the protection of freedom per se,” says the jurist Prof. Dr. Jan Henrik Klement on freedom of information and explicates how and why it is protected by law. In addition, he explains why it is nevertheless possible to ban Russian media like Russia Today.

Dustin Kubas on Alternatives to Fossil Energy Sources from Russia
May 18, 2022

“If we want to become independent of fossil energy sources in the future – including Russian energy sources – we will have to become more climate-neutral and rely on climate-neutral technologies and green hydrogen,” says Dustin Kubas, doctoral candidate at the Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry. He explains what alternative energy sources are available to replace raw material imports from Russia.

Dietmar Neutatz clarifies the role of the War in Ukraine in Putin’s long-term objectives?
April 22, 2022

Prof. Dr. Dietmar Neutatz, Professor of Modern and East European History, also elaborates on Putin’s justification for the war and what the Russian president understands by his “mission” of “denazification.”

Felix Ettensperger on software-based prediction of wars and conflicts
April 8, 2022

Doctoral student Felix Ettensperger from the Department of Political Science explains how wars and conflicts can be predicted on the computer and for what kind of conflicts this prediction works well. He is convinced: “These conflict predictions can then be used for preemptive interventions in conflict regions.“

Bernhard Spielberg explains the position of the Church in the War in Ukraine
April 13, 2022

“The patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church has evidently become a very close friend of Putin in recent years,” says Prof. Dr. Bernhard Spielberg from the Faculty of Theology. The theologian also explains what role the Catholic Church is playing in the search for a peace settlement and why the supply of arms to Ukraine is consistent with the doctrine of peace for German bishops.

Elisabeth Cheauré talks about Cooperation with Russian Universities
March 31, 2022

“We are trying to maintain contact on an individual level,” says Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Cheauré, senior professor at the Slavic Department regarding current dealings with Russian partner universities. Cheauré reports on the consequences of sanctioning scientific collaborations with Russia’s research institutions that have been put on hold.

Anke Weidlich on the energy crisis in Europe
August 11, 2022

Anke Weidlich, Professor for Control and Integration of Grids, assesses the energy situation in the coming winter and explains, among other things, what role European networks play in the energy crisis. She also talks about what we can do to contribute to energy security in the coming winter and believes “both industrial consumers, commercial consumers and we as household consumers have a duty to make sure we can reduce consumption to cope with this crisis.”

Stefan Kaufmann on German Civil Defense
July 27, 2022

“The specific thing in Germany is that the bunkers were dismantled,” says the sociologist Prof. Dr. Stefan Kaufmann. He explains the peculiarities of German civil defense and draws comparisons to preparations made by other countries to protect the population in the event of war.

Clemens Jürgenmeyer on India’s political stance
June 30, 2022

“India’s situation is rather uncomfortable. India is trying to keep its independence,” analyses Clemens Jürgenmeyer, a staff member at the Arnold Bergstraesser Institute in Freiburg. The South Asia expert explains India’s political balancing act between its ally Ukraine and military dependence on Russia.

Daniel Leese on the Chinese Position on the War in Ukraine
May 13, 2022

“The war originally did not suit the Chinese at all. However, they have now dialectically come to terms with the situation and are trying to make the best of it,” says Prof. Dr. Daniel Leese from the Institute of Sinology. The Sinologist explains how to assess the recently proclaimed friendship between China and Russia and why China is now portraying itself as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia.

Tim Krieger on the Economic Consequences of the War in Ukraine for Germany and Russia
May 3, 2022

Economist Prof. Dr. Tim Krieger makes it clear why the economic sanctions against Russia need time to take effect and how the German and Russian economic systems differ significantly. In addition, he explains the European Central Bank’s reluctant stance in the debate on whether to raise interest rates.

Paulina Starski describes the international law perspective
April 5, 2022

The jurist Paulina Starski explains why the invasion of Ukraine is a war of aggression in violation of international law and why the annexation of Crimea is also illegal.

Günther Schulze: Economic Interdependence
March 25, 2022

“In economic terms, Russia is losing every day,” says Prof. Dr. Günther Schulze. The Freiburg economist describes what economic consequences Ukraine, Russia, and Western countries will face on account of the war. In addition, he explains what importance Russia has as a trade partner for Germany.

Andreas Urs Sommer: Philosophical Implications
March 29, 2022

Philosopher Prof. Dr. Andreas Urs Sommer talks about his hope that democracies will regard the war in Ukraine as an opportunity to regroup and strengthen themselves. Furthermore, he explains why Ukraine’s surrender to protect lives is not an option at the moment.

Andreas Mehler: The African perspective on the war
March 21, 2022

“The patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church has evidently become a very close friend of Putin in recent Development policy expert Prof. Dr. Andreas Mehler explains how the war in Ukraine is affecting countries in Africa and to what extent Russia’s involvement on the continent is also playing a role.