Indonesia to US Abstain in Voting on Ukraine Resolution, Foreign Ministry: Concern about the Need to Prioritize Inclusive Dialogue

Voting on a draft resolution on support for peace in Ukraine held by the UN General Assembly. (Twitter/@UN_News_Centre)

JAKARTA - The abstention chosen by Indonesia to the United States during the voting on the resolution on the war in Ukraine in the 11th Special Emergency Session of the United Nations General Assembly, on the 4th anniversary of the Ukrainian crisis on Tuesday, reflects concerns about the need to prioritize inclusive dialogue.

The UN General Assembly in a meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York, Tuesday (24/2) adopted draft resolution A/ES-11/L.17, entitled "Support for lasting peace in Ukraine" through a recorded vote with 107 votes in favor, 12 votes against and 51 abstentions.

The countries that abstained in the voting this time include Indonesia, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, China, Kuwait, India, and Brazil.

Based on the provisions of the resolution, the Assembly calls for an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, and reiterates its call for the complete exchange of prisoners of war, the release of all illegally detained persons, and the repatriation of all prisoners and civilians who have been forcibly displaced or deported, including children, quoted from UN News (27/2).

Regarding Indonesia's abstention, the Spokesperson II of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela, said, "we in principle emphasize the process of inclusiveness of the process of discussing this resolution itself.

#BREAKINGUN General Assembly ADOPTS resolution "Support for lasting peace in Ukraine"; calls for comprehensive, just and lasting peace; exchange of prisoners of war and return of civilians forcibly transferred, including children

RESULTIn favor: 107Against: 12Abstain: 51 pic.twitter.com/c8SI9481eW

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) February 24, 2026

"Since the beginning, this issue has been discussed at the UN, Indonesia has actually been in a position to play a role in ensuring an inclusive dialogue, especially in this UN format," explained Nabyl in a press statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Friday (27/2).

"We know that at this time the United Nations is also an organization that is carrying out a reform, and one of the core of the reform that is emphasized is inclusiveness, so the process of holding negotiations on a draft resolution in an inclusive manner is an important thing," he said.

According to Nabyl, the large number of countries that abstained reflected the message, "we need an inclusive negotiation process."

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, on the same occasion said that the large number of countries that abstained reflected concern about the need for inclusive dialogue.

"This reflects a similar concern with Indonesia regarding the need to prioritize inclusive dialogue and diplomatic efforts for peace," he said.

According to Indonesia's position, continued Yvonne, inclusiveness and constructive negotiations have not been shown in the process of adopting the draft resolution. Where there is no room for negotiation at all on the proposed concept.

"Hence, the position of abstain given by Indonesia," he said.