Scientists Discuss “Russia's Invasion of Ukraine”
TÜBA held the “Russian Occupation of Ukraine and International Relations Workshop” in Ankara. Competent TÜBA members and international relations experts came together to discuss the invasion of Ukraine from different dimensions.
The workshop was held in three sessions: “Developments Before the Ukraine-Russia War”, “Size of the War” and “Possible Future Effects”. In the subtitle of each session, the effects of the war in “Turkey”, in the “regional” context and in the “global” dimension were detailed from a scientific point of view and theoretical and practical aspects.
In the Program where face-to-face as well as online access is realized; TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker, TÜBA Full Members Prof. Dr. A. Nuri Yurdusev (President of the Association of Asian Academies) and Prof. Dr. Ziya Öniş, Prof. Dr. Muhittin Ataman, Prof. Dr. Birol Akgun and Dr. Giray Sadik from Ankara Social Sciences University, Prof. Dr. Aysegul Aydingun from METU, Prof. Dr. Hakan Kirimli from Bilkent University, Prof. Dr. Ismail Aydingun from Başkent University, Assoc. Prof. Ozgun Erler Bayir from Istanbul University, TÜBA Young Academy Member Assoc. Prof. Sener Akturk from Koç University, Assoc. Prof. Erdem Ozluk from Selcuk University, Asst. Prof. M. Hüseyin Mercan from Marmara University, Assist. Prof. Member Merve Yeşiltaş from AYBU, Dr. Metin Çelik from Selcuk University; and TÜBA Advisor to President Dr. Mürsel Doğrul took part in the workshop.
TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker made the opening speech of the program. After that; TÜBA Member and President of the Association of Asian Academies Prof. Dr. Ahmet Nuri Yurdusev started the session in which pre-war developments were discussed; TÜBA Young Academy Member and Koç University Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Şener Aktürk, Koç University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Ziya Öniş expressed their thoughts. The workshop continued with the “Aspect of War” session and ended with the “Possible Future Effects” session of the war.
Workshop Final Report Published
After Russia's attacks on the territory of Ukraine in violation of international law, world science academies met on a common ground more than ever and gave messages of unity and solidarity. On March 2, 2022, the first days of the war, TÜBA published its statement, which includes the establishment of peace and reconciliation with an impartial approach, and the importance of making agreements between the parties as soon as possible.
TÜBA; after the analyzes made after the Workshop, which he organized with scientists to discuss the results of the occupation process and the effects of these results on international relations in different dimensions, he presented the final report to the public.
TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker pointed out that the dimensions of the war are handled by scientists with an approach that avoids generalizing statements. Prof. Şeker gave brief information about the results of the report prepared based on the evaluations of the scientists who participated in the workshop and contributed to the workshop. Establishment of specialized economic and political commissions is recommended. It is recommended that all aspects of the war be handled with periodic scientific activities. Although the Western alliance reacted strongly against the invasion of Russia and still helps Ukraine, the fact that the West did not react adequately to the “fait-outs” against Russia in general and in particular in areas such as Georgia and Syria. It is seen that Turkey's foreign policy is on a healthy basis by trying to establish a balance between the parties. Turkey seems to have undertaken the role of intermediary alone as the most suitable actor in this war. The duration and intensity of the conflict will show whether Turkey will follow a balancing or active neutrality policy in this war. It is important for Turkey to be a guarantor country in this war, but the costs of being a guarantor should also be considered. Prof. Şeker thanked the scientists and participants who contributed to the workshop.