Former Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich was expelled from the Council for Science and Education under the President of Russia. An order to this effect, signed by President Vladimir Putin, was published on the official portal of legal information.
Dvorkovich served on the board as chairman of the Skolkovo Foundation. In March, he left this post due to criticism from party members from United Russia for anti-war statements he made as president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
“Wars are the worst thing a person can face in life. Any war. Everywhere. Including this war. Wars don't just kill priceless lives. Wars kill hopes and aspirations, freeze or destroy relationships and ties. I think of the civilians in Ukraine, including the many players who are in danger and unable to compete or even think about chess during the war. FIDE will do everything possible to bring Ukrainians and everyone else back to chess when conditions allow,” Dvorkovich said.