Second EuGMS Statement on Ukrainian crisis

March 16th, 2022

Dear colleagues,

As all of us, the war in Ukraine is heavily concerning and emotionally touching me both as an individual and also in my role as president of the EuGMS. As stated in my first short address to you after the start of this war, more and more questions raised how we as a scientific society should react and help where we can in this humanitarian crisis. EuGMS is currently planning how to help as consultants for those caring for older adults, as well as how to financially support organizations such as Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières and others.

We also discussed how we will interact now and in the future on an individual level with geriatricians, but also with scientific societies in Russian Federation. Although we clearly condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we feel that we should continue the existing fruitful collaboration with Russian geriatricians who are active members of the EuGMS family. Ongoing collaborative projects should be continued as good as possible. However, we want to put a moratorium on new projects and congresses in Russian Federation, knowing that such activities will anyway most certainly not be planned in the next future. Within the planned continuation with well-known geriatricians in Russian Federation, we should not forget that as in every war, civilians are the most vulnerable group, irrespective in what country they live. This holds even truer for frail older persons.

I sincerely hope that this war will stop very soon and that we all, and in particular people in Ukraine, can get back to work in peace and an appreciative living together between all countries and generations.

Warm regards

Yours

Cornel Sieber

EuGMS President 2022-2023