STRATEGIC ASESSMENT. President Vladimir Putin intends to attend the G20 Summit scheduled to be hosted by Indonesia in Bali in October this year, Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Lyudmila Vorobieva said on Wednesday. The Russian president’s presence would depend on several factors, but so far, Putin planned to participate in the G20 Summit, Vorobieva said in response to Antara’s question on whether Putin will come to Bali for the G20 Summit.
“It will depend on many, many things, including the COVID situation, which is getting better. So far, his intention is… he wants to,” Vorobieva said. Asked about suggestions Russia could be excluded from the G20, she said it was a forum to discuss economic issues and not a crisis like Ukraine. Vorobieva considered such a move would be a regress for G20 that was established to respond to the world economic situation and challenges.
“Of course expulsion of Russia from this kind of forum will not help these economic problems to be resolved. On the contrary, without Russia it would be difficult to do so.” Vorobieva urged Indonesia not to be swayed by pressure from Western countries. “We strongly support the Indonesian presidency in the G20, the priorities and slogan of ‘Recover Together, Recover Stronger,’ and we really hope that the Indonesian government would not give in to the horrible pressure that is being applied to not only Indonesia but also to many countries in the world by the West,” Vorobieva emphasized.
A source in the government’s inner circle on Wednesday said Indonesia has emailed an invitation to G20 members, including Russia, to the meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in Washington, D.C., on Apr. 20. The email also included meeting procedures, agenda, and health measures. The meeting will be held in person, but Indonesia will also offer a hybrid option to accommodate members who cannot attend physically.
Center of Reform on Economics Executive Director Mohammad Faisal on Wednesday said Indonesia must welcome Putin to the G20 Summit to demonstrate Indonesia’s free and active foreign policy, and that the country does not choose side. Institute for Development of Economics and Finance economist Bhima Yudhistira said Putin’s attendance should be welcomed since it provides Indonesia with an opportunity to reconcile Russia with G20 members such as the European Union and the United States, who are protecting Ukraine.
China has reiterated its support for Indonesia as G20 chair, amid calls for Russia to be expelled from the group of 20 economic powers for its military action in Ukraine. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Wednesday said the G20’s primary platform is for international economic cooperation, with the goal of uniting the world’s economies, including Russia as a key member.
The United States and its allies are proposing expulsion of Russia from the G20 group in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine. However, any motion to eject Russia is expected to be blocked directly by a number of G20 members, including China, India, and Saudi Arabia.
Ukrainian Ambassador to Indonesia Vasyl Hamianin on Wednesday urged Indonesia to refuse Russian President Vladimir Putin’s participation at the G20 Summit in Bali if his attendance is confirmed. Hamianin said Russia and President Vladimir Putin have no right to join and participate in international forums in light of what they did to Ukraine. The presence of Putin, as the architect of the atrocious Russo-Ukrainian war, would be an insult to democracy, human decency, and the rule of law, Hamianin said. “Putin is not legally entitled to attend international forums, summits, or multilateral gatherings,” he added.
British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Owen Jenkins on Wednesday said the G20 must discuss the conflict in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion. He said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupts global energy market and alters financial system, which are of G20 concerns. Jenkins also called on the public to fight Russia’s disinformation, which Russia also launched in Indonesia in order to conceal the scope of the war and Russia’s accountability.
University of Indonesia professor Hikmahanto Juwana on Tuesday said Indonesia bears a responsibility as the G20 president to serve as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He said the Foreign Affairs Ministry should help President Jokowi build peace between Ukraine and Russia as the Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Israel did (Red/many sources).
