Conflicts & War

Indonesia offers to mediate between Russia, Ukraine

Jakarta, Jun 30 (EFE).- Indonesia’s president has offered to mediate between Ukraine and Russia to seek a negotiated solution to the war triggered by Russia’s invasion, his office said.

Joko Widodo met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Mariyinsky Palace in Kyiv on Wednesday, the Indonesian presidential office said in a statement late Wednesday.

“I offer to carry a message from President Zelenskyy to [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin, who I will visit soon,” said Widodo, who is scheduled to meet the Russian president on Thursday.

“I conveyed to President Zelenskyy that I made this visit as a manifestation of Indonesia’s concern for the situation in Ukraine,” Widodo added in a joint press conference with President Zelenskyy after the meeting.

The Indonesian leader also stressed his country’s position on the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and the importance of a peaceful settlement.

Indonesia, which is hosting this year’s G20 meeting of representatives from the world’s biggest economies, has emerged as an unexpected mediator between Kyiv and Moscow.

It seeks to tackle disruptions in the food supply chain caused by the war in Ukraine and sanctions imposed by several countries on Russia.

During the briefing on Wednesday, Widodo also conveyed the importance of Ukraine for the world food supply chain.

“It is important for all parties to provide security guarantees for the smooth export of Ukrainian food, including through sea ports. I support the efforts of the United Nations in this regard,” he said. Indonesia has not imposed any sanctions on Russia.

Widodo, the first Asian leader to visit the two countries since the start of the war, has invited both Putin and Zelenskyy to participate in the G20 summit, which will take place in Bali between Nov. 15-16.

Both leaders have accepted the invitation but have yet to confirm whether they will participate in person or via videoconference.

Before traveling to Kyiv, Widodo attended the G7 summit that took place earlier this week in Germany as a guest. EFE

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