Indonesia refuses to supply arms to Ukraine
Friday, April 29, 2022Indonesian President Joko Widodo has confirmed that he has rejected a request from his Ukrainian counterpart, Vladimir Zelensky, to supply arms to Kyiv.
Widodo said during a virtual press conference held today, Friday, according to CNN Indonesia, that Zelensky asked him to export arms to Ukraine, but that he stressed that Jakarta could not meet this request due to the principles guiding foreign policies.
The Indonesian president explained that Jakarta follows the principle of "free and active politics," adding that the country's constitution does not allow its government to supply arms to other countries.
He said: "I would like to stress that Indonesia may not support other countries by exporting arms to them, in accordance with its foreign policy principles and the constitution."
The Indonesian Constitution stipulates that the state shall refrain from taking the side of any state in any dispute and actively contribute to the political settlement of disputes and disagreements at the international level.
At the same time, Widodo pledged humanitarian aid to Ukraine, stressed the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities on the territory of this country, and expressed Indonesia's readiness to contribute to the peaceful efforts aimed at settling the conflict between Moscow and Kiev.
He invited Indonesian President Zelensky and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to participate in the G-20 summit to be held on the island of Bali next November.