MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Russian organizations against turning aid for Donetsk and Luhansk into something compulsory.
He was commenting on a speech by Rector of St. Petersburg State University Nikolai Kropachyov, who suggested compelling members of the Russian Union of Rectors (RUR) to help higher-education institutions in southeastern Ukraine.
“With regard to the complex processes taking place in southeast Ukraine, in Novorossiya, in Donbas. I am asking the Union of Rectors not to compel anyone,” Putin said.
“I understand they want to make things better. I know how our people feel, what they make of such tragic events. I am certain that everyone, who is able to, will do all they can to support the people, especially in a noble cause such as reconstruction of educational institutions,” he said.
Kropachyov proposed “making a decision compelling all members of our organization to help higher-education institutions in Donbas and Luhansk.”
According to Kropachyov, he has received two letters from higher-education officials from southeastern Ukraine who complained about the deplorable state of the educational infrastructure and serious funding problems. One of the letters was read by Kropachyov aloud.
Kropachyov’s proposal was met with applause from the attending rectors.
In his exhortation he was joined by Moscow State University Rector Viktor Sadovnichy.
