From 7 to 9 October 2026 in Berlin and in nearby Wildau, the “Days of Ukraine in Brandenburg” took place. The event, in which DESY took part, celebrated the German–Ukrainian collaboration in science, politics, and civil society. Marking the 10-year anniversary of the German–Ukrainian Academic Society (DUAG), Days of Ukraine in Brandenburg brought together representatives from research, universities, and ministries with the aim of further strengthening the strategic partnership between Germany and Ukraine. One central question tied the event together: How can scientific cooperations not only provide immediate support, but also strengthen Europe’s innovation capabilities and the resilience of its democracies?

 On 7 October, the former President of Germany Joachim Gauck opened the event at the Office of the Representation of the State of Brandenburg to the Federal Government in Berlin. With the title “Not following fear – choosing bravery”, Gauck’s speech focused on the need for democratic values to be actively defended, as well as rethinking Germany’s historical responsibility to Ukraine.

The scientific programme, which took place at the Wildau Technical University of Applied Sciences (TH Wildau), laid out a wide palette of German-Ukrainian research projects – from nanomedicine to AI-supported rehabilitation to environmental technologies. Christian Stegmann, director of astroparticle physics at DESY, presented DESY’s cooperation with Ukrainian astronomers. In recent years, DESY has built connections with astronomical institutes in Ukraine and deepened its scientific collaborations.

Stegmann spoke as well of a Recovery Plan of Ukrainian Astronomy, which has been developed by Ukraine’s astronomical institutes and their international partners, including DESY. The plan is to enable the reconstruction and long-term strengthening of Ukrainian astronomy. Through its summer school programme, DESY has committed to supporting Ukrainian students as well as their scientific training and international networking.

“Our collaboration builds on the scientific strengths of Ukrainian astronomy,” Stegmann says. “Together we want research to continue even under the difficult conditions of war and establish long-term plans. Essential to this is supporting students, who will shape the future of science in Ukraine.”

On the evening of 8 October at the Berlin–Brandenburg Academy of Sciences, Stegmann, Dr. Ulrike Hopp-Nishanka (BMZ), and Dr. Oleksandra Keudel (Kyiv School of Economics) held a roundtable discussion entitled “Rebuilding together: Ukrainian science as a pillar of a stronger Europe and a resilient democracy,” discussing the role of science in the rebuilding of Ukraine.

A further highlight: the presentation of the TRYSUB project by DESY scientist and German–Ukrainian Academic Society member Anna Grebinyk. The initiative brings together the University of Potsdam, TH Wildau, and DESY with the goal of investigating innovative applications that combine nanomedicine with FLASH Therapy – a promising application of accelerators for more precise and less destructive cancer therapies.

The event made it clear that after a decade of project-based collaboration, it is now time to establish long-term structures. Ukraine is not only to be considered as the recipient of assistance, but rather as an equal partner that strengthens Europe’s scientific sovereignty and technological competitiveness.

All of this was organized by TH Wildau professors Marcus Fromme and Alina Nechyporenko as well as Anna Grebinyk. TH Wildau and the Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics also signed the Wildau – NURE Quantum IT Alliance cooperation agreement.

The Days of Ukraine 2026 showed that science is more than research: it is a tool for diplomacy, reconstruction, and social cohesion. With initiatives such as DAAD funding programmes, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, or the Green Deal Ukraina, the collaboration continues to deepen.