Russia has declared a German academic exchange programme to be an undesirable organization, leaving it effectively unable to operate in the country.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) said on Friday it was aware of the Russian Justice Ministry’s ruling, which was published on Tuesday.

“We are in close coordination with the Foreign Office over our next steps,” added the group, which describes itself as the world’s “largest funding organization for the international exchange of students and researchers.”

The undesirable label means Russian citizens are at risk of criminal punishment if they engage with the organization. It has been used to shut down many foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Russia.

The ruling effectively ends academic exchanges between Germany and Russia, which have plunged since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

While the DAAD stopped funding exchanges in Russia after the invasion, it continued offering opportunities for Russian nationals to study in Germany and maintained an office in Moscow.

Around 200 Russian nationals are currently being funded by the DAAD in Germany, out of a total of 10,500 Russian students in the country.