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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hopes that Indonesia will be involved in the peace process. Photo/REUTERS
JAKARTA – Minister of Foreign Affairs Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba emphasized the hope of the Ukrainian people that Indonesia, which has the principle of independence, belongs to every nation, to be more actively involved in the peace process.
Foreign Minister Kuleba appreciated President Joko Widodo’s efforts to visit Kiev when the Russian aggression occurred. Until now President Joko Widodo is the only leader from the Asian continent who visited Ukraine in the midst of the conflict.
“President Joko Widodo’s peace mission will be more successful if Russia is ready to listen to him, but unfortunately Moscow turns a deaf ear to President Joko Widodo’s initiative because President (Russia Vladimir) Putin wants to continue fighting,” he said in a press statement conveyed by the Ukrainian Embassy in Jakarta, Saturday ( 28/1/2023).
However, he continued, this was not a problem because President Joko Widodo’s other mission was successful, namely the realization of grain initiation which opened the blockade of Ukrainian waters so that grain exports could be carried out so prices were more stable.
According to Foreign Minister Kuleba, Indonesia-Ukraine relations have developed well since 1991 and there were no conflicts between the two countries when the two developed relations in education, tourism and trade. The relationship was disrupted because of Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.
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So, according to him, President Joko Widodo’s visit to Kiev and Moscow is a good political step to start peace. Thus, it is now Ukraine’s duty to balance Indonesia’s good intentions.
“Unfortunately the war continues, Russia has suffered many defeats but they still control some parts of our territory and we will continue to defend our country until Russia leaves our Motherland,” he said.
Foreign Minister Kuleba fully understands that not a few Indonesian people will ask why Ukraine did not choose diplomacy by sitting with Russia and immediately stopping this bloodshed.
In this case, Foreign Minister Kuleba believes that Indonesia will take similar actions to Ukraine when a small, beautiful island located in the outermost region of Indonesia was annexed by another country. Indonesia will fight to the last drop of blood, even though Indonesia has thousands of islands.
