Deputy Minister Of Defense Response To Prabowo's Proposal: We Want Russia-Ukraine To Be Peaceful

Deputy Minister of Defense M. Herindra after a closed-door working meeting with Commission I at the DPR RI building, Jakarta, Wednesday (7/6/2023). (ANTARA/Narda Margaretha Sinambela)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Defense (Wamenhan) M. Herindra assessed that the peace proposal for conflict resolution between Russia and Ukraine submitted by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto was only to reconcile the two countries.

"Look, the point is we want the Russia-Ukraine conflict to be resolved soon, at peace," said Herindra, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, June 7.

According to him, the Indonesian people were also affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, Herindra was reluctant to explain further regarding the issue of Prabowo's coordination with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi or President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

"The problem is whether the proposal will be accepted or not, it's normal. But the war, which has been suffering humans for more than a year," he explained.

Herindra did not question who rejected or accepted the proposal as long as the peace message was delivered.

"We don't want that to take long. We want it to be peaceful soon, because the war is suffering for the community," he said.

The Russia-Ukraine peace proposal is busy in the public spotlight, including international circles. President Jokowi said this was Prabowo's own attitude.

This then raises the assumption that the government does not coordinate with each other. This proposal has also been rejected by Ukraine.

For this reason, on Tuesday (6/5), President Jokowi will summon Prabowo Subianto to explain further regarding the proposed resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The President emphasized that the proposal made by the Minister of Defense in the International Institute forum for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue 2023 in Singapore at the end of last week was a proposal from the person concerned and not on behalf of the Indonesian government.

"It was from Pak Prabowo himself, but I haven't met Pak Prabowo yet," Jokowi said in a press conference session after the opening of the PDI Perjuangan National Working Meeting (Rakernas) III at the Lenteng Agung Party School, South Jakarta.

Therefore, the President plans to summon the Minister of Defense to obtain an explanation regarding the proposal.

However, Jokowi has not confirmed when he will hold a meeting with Prabowo.

"Maybe today or tomorrow I will invite, ask for an explanation regarding what the Minister of Defense said," he said.