Hungarian Nobel laureate Krausz holds lecture in Ukrainian bunkers, advocates for Ukraine's reconstruction and justice

In early March 2025, Nobel Prize-winning physicists Ferenc Krausz and Serge Haroche embarked on a poignant journey to Ukraine, aiming to demonstrate solidarity with the nation’s academic community and its citizens amidst ongoing conflict. Their visit encompassed lectures delivered in university bunkers in Kyiv and Kharkiv, where they directly experienced the harsh realities faced by Ukrainians. The constant drone of air raid alarms and distant explosions showed the persistent threats endured by the people of the war-torn country.

During their visit, Krausz and Haroche presented an appeal endorsed by 131 Nobel laureates, urging the international community to allocate frozen Russian assets toward Ukraine’s reconstruction and to support war victims, Science4People reports. They emphasised the imperative of holding Russia accountable for its actions, asserting that failure to do so would not only embolden further aggression but also jeopardise European security.

The physicists articulated that the Ukrainian front line serves as a bastion of European freedom, and without securing this bulwark, lasting peace in Europe remains elusive.

Ferenc Krausz, originally from Mór, Hungary, and currently based in Germany, has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine. According to Telex, following his receipt of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2023 for pioneering research in attophysics, Krausz donated his prize money to Science4People, an organisation he founded to unite scientists in aiding those affected by the war in Ukraine. The association focuses on supporting local communities and educational initiatives within Ukraine, aiming to address immediate needs and foster enduring value.

The appeal brought forth by Krausz and Haroche underscores the necessity of utilising frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction. They argue that releasing these funds back to Russia would not only undermine efforts to hold the aggressor accountable but also pose a significant threat to European security by potentially financing further military endeavors. The physicists call upon their respective governments and the broader international community to heed this appeal, emphasising that a fair and enforceable peace agreement with robust security guarantees is essential for Ukraine’s freedom and enduring peace in Europe.

By leveraging their esteemed positions, Krausz, Haroche, and their fellow Nobel laureates aim to motivate international action toward a peaceful and equitable resolution for Ukraine, reinforcing the principles of freedom and democracy that underpin European stability.

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