In connection with defamatory publications in a number of media outlets

In connection with defamatory publications in a number of media outlets, I declare the following:

1. I have already officially addressed the Security Service of Ukraine with a request to summon me for a polygraph examination, as well as the initiators of the publications, regarding the accusations presented. All allegations made against me are absolutely false.

2. Neither I personally nor the Ukrainian Institute of Politics has ever applied for any Russian funding, granted permission for the use of our name or brand, or been aware that it could be used by third parties. I have not visited the territory of the Russian Federation since 2014.

3. Reports on xenophobia and antisemitism have been prepared annually for more than 20 years as academic publications and for the institutions of the European Union and the United States. They were publicly published on our website and were available for use by interested parties. However, these reports were never submitted to the Russian Federation, no rights were ever granted for their use within the territory of the Russian Federation, and any publication of them or of excerpts constitutes intellectual theft.

4. I have never been a co-author of any publication in the territory of the Russian Federation, and the use of my name in such a context is unlawful. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I have not commented on any events for Russian media or other structures, and any quotations attributed to me there constitute intellectual theft.

5. Considering the reputational risks, a decision has been made to terminate communication with a number of citizens of the United States, the European Union, and Israel, as well as with the organizations representing them.

For additional comments or clarifications, please contact: uiamp2012@gmail.com

Ruslan Bortnik

Director of the Ukrainian Institute of Politics