We support Russian objectors to the terrible invasion and war in Ukraine.

Many Russians are deeply opposed to the war in Ukraine. As so many people around the world, including me, are.

The Vice Chancellor of Henley's parent, the University of Reading, UK, has said:

"..1,000 students and staff of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, MGIMO, have written an?open letter to the President of the Russian Federation?expressing their categorical opposition to the invasion, and calling for its immediate end. MGIMO is Russia’s leading institution for the study of politics, international relations and global law, with whom Reading has had a?strategic partnership?since 2013, leading to a successful programme of academic exchange. I will do all I can to support these colleagues and students, who are applying their knowledge and principles to stand openly in defiance of the Russian leadership and call for peace."

Here is the translation of that open letter:

"An open appeal to the President of the Russian Federation from graduates, students, graduate students and employees of MGIMO MFA RF

We, graduates, students, graduate students and employees of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations MGIMO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, who signed this appeal, categorically oppose the military actions of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine.

We consider it morally unacceptable to stand aside and remain silent when people die in a neighboring state. They die through the fault of those who preferred weapons to peaceful diplomacy.

Throughout its history, Russia has repeatedly stood up for the weak and supported them, even if it came at a high price. The leaders of our state peacefully resolved the most difficult crisis situations, despite all ideological differences. We call on this foreign policy tradition to be continued today: to withdraw troops from the territory of Ukraine, stop the bombing of Ukrainian cities and start an honest negotiation process - without ultimatums and demands for surrender for the other side.

Many of us have friends and relatives in areas where the fighting is taking place. But the war came not only to them, it came to the house of each of us, and our children and grandchildren will feel its consequences. Many generations of future diplomats will have to restore their lost trust in Russia and good relations with their neighbors.

Restraint in statements, critical thinking, awareness of the complexity of the processes taking place in the world and tolerance for other people's opinions, no doubt, are inherent in the graduates of our university. But there is also something that we are intolerant of - the use of violence in a situation where it could have been avoided.

We were prepared for life and work in the open world. We were preparing to be representatives of a country for which the whole world is open - and Russia is open to the whole world. We were taught diplomacy, international law, journalistic ethics; explained the value of international cooperation, cooperation, cultural exchange. Special attention has always been paid to the importance of international efforts to create an international system of nuclear arms reduction treaties.

The actions of the Russian troops on the territory of Ukraine have created conditions in which the realization of the values that we have learned over the years of study seems impossible.

We, graduates, students, graduate students and staff of MGIMO, strive to protect Russia's traditional foreign policy values: security, peaceful cooperation and dialogue. Even if these values diverge from the current official position of the Foreign Ministry and the state as a whole, we are not afraid to openly declare them."

Full list of signatories here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uAiGSF97ysGKbzC3-6qDGNb0xb6xjvHcKChsQtx9Af4

The list will be updated as new signatures arrive.