STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT-Jakarta. Indonesia has invited both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin to attend the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Bali, a move that analysts said could provide a “golden opportunity” for the host of the economic forum to play its role as a middle power. Indonesia, which holds the G20 presidency this year, has been under heavy pressure from the West, led by the United States, to exclude Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, but Jakarta has argued it must remain “impartial.”
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) researcher Fitriani said that Indonesia’s invitation to Ukraine was a “brilliant move” as it provides opportunities for the latter to attend side meetings with other countries that are present.
“Thus Indonesia can kill two birds at once. First, by carrying out its free and active foreign policy and, second, Indonesia can escape the pressures of big pro-Ukrainian countries – especially the G7 nations,” Fitriani said on Wednesday.
Dewi Fortuna Anwar, foreign policy expert and former vice presidential advisor, said Indonesia’s decision to invite both Putin and Zelensky to November’s summit could “hopefully ensure the unity of the G20 and its agenda” and provide a “golden opportunity” for Indonesia to play its role as middle power without putting extra effort. “President Jokowi doesn’t need to fly to Moscow and Kyiv as both Russia and Ukraine are invited here,” Dewi said. Seeing the war end cannot be seen only as the U.S.’s agenda, but also Indonesia’s, which always underlines peaceful dialogue, she added.
On 12 and 13 May the leaders of ASEAN will meet US President Joe Biden at the White House for the first in-person US–ASEAN Summit since the beginning of the pandemic. The summit will be a way for ASEAN to communicate what it wants from US engagement in the region, but also an important moment for urgent dialogue between the White House and Indonesia, this year’s G20 chair.
The stakes are high. They involve not only the United States’ ability to support Indonesia’s emergent leadership role on the world stage, but also the viability of the G20 as a platform for coordinating the global economic recovery from the pandemic and managing other global problems.
Indonesia’s role both in the G20 and its weight within ASEAN make it vital for the United States. Indonesia’s diplomatic instinct is to build bridges between the developed and developing world, an asset in the G20, which brings together both. This year’s Indonesian G20 agenda brings developing country interests in equitable and sustainable recovery to the fore. Indonesia’s size, legitimacy and its tradition of non-alignment mean it is uniquely qualified to lead the G20 in difficult times like these.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims that Indonesia has invited him to this year’s G20 summit, following weeks of pressure for Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to disinvite Russian President Vladimir Putin following his invasion of Ukraine.
“Had talks with President @jokowi. Thanked for the support of sovereignty and territorial integrity, in particular for a clear position in the UN. Food security issues were discussed,” Zelenskyy tweeted on Wednesday. He then added, “Appreciate inviting me to the @g20org summit.”
Zelenskyy did not say whether he would accept the invitation to the November summit in Bali, and if so, whether he would attend in person or via videolink. Jokowi’s invitation has not been confirmed by the Indonesian government.
If he did show up in Bali, however, it would set up a tense meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Moscow has confirmed plans to attend the summit in the face of a likely chilly reception from the North American and European members of the economic grouping.
President Jokowi announced in his Twitter post that he had talked with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a phone call on Wednesday, Apr.27, 2022. Jokowi said that the call was intended to express Indonesia’s support for the war-torn country after Russian military forces first invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.
“I talked to President @ZelenskyyUa from Ukraine. I once again asserted Indonesia’s support for every attempt leading to a peaceful resolution,” the President tweeted. In addition to showing support, Jokowi also offered to provide humanitarian aid for the Ukrainian people who have been greatly affected by the war. However, the President did not mention whether Indonesia would officially invite Ukraine to the upcoming Bali G20 summit scheduled to take place in November 2022.
The government on Thursday remained tight-lipped over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s claim that he was invited to the G20 Summit in Bali to be held later this year, despite an official confirming that President Jokowi had spoken with him over the phone.
When asked about Zelenskyy’s invitation to the summit, Foreign Ministry senior adviser and G20 co-sherpa Dian Triansyah Djani referred to the Presidential Palace for comment, while also suggesting that G20 member states should not lose sight of substantive discussions. The Presidential Palace and the State Secretary’s office did not immediately respond to requests for confirmation, although government sources believe Jokowi might address the issue himself at a later date.
Finance Ministry official Febrio Kacaribu on Thursday said the walk-out action carried out by a number of countries some time ago at one of the G20 meetings was not a surprise for Indonesia. Febrio said it was a gesture in a forum to show a political position, especially regarding approval or disapproval of an issue.
He also emphasized that the G20 is a forum based on consensus, where decisions cannot be made unless they are reached. Therefore, one of the discourses to cancel Russia’s invitation to the G20 summit can only be done if there is a consensus.
Foreign Affairs Ministry official and Co-Sherpa G20 Indonesia, Dian Triansyah Djani on Thursday said the energy crisis, food crisis, inflation rate up to the G20 were issues that Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi brought up during a visit to European countries on April 19-22. He said that from the consultations carried out, Foreign Minister Retno conveyed several messages, including the importance of stopping war, and the importance of all countries creating an enabling environment to provide the opportunity for peace negotiations to work as much as possible.
