President Jokowi Must Visit Ukraine, Because The Country Has Served For Indonesia

President Jokowi and President Volodymyr Zelensky while meeting at the Maryinsky Palace in Kyiv during a visit to Ukraine on June 29, 2022. (president.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - President Jokowi's visit to Ukraine which carries the mission of reconciling the country's conflict with Russia needs to be taken positively. Jokowi's entourage departed from Przemysl, Poland by road by extraordinary train. The journey by train from the Polish city near the Ukrainian border to the capital Kyiv takes 11 hours.

Departing from Przemysl Station on Tuesday evening, June 28 local time, President Jokowi, accompanied by Ibu Iriana, arrived in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Wednesday morning June 29. Jokowi is only in Ukraine for a day, with the most important agenda being to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Maryinsky Palace, Kyiv.

“From platform 4 of Przemysl Glowny Station in the city of Przemysl, Poland, at nine o'clock in the evening, I and a limited group of people train to Kyiv, Ukraine. We started this peace mission with good intentions. Hopefully, it will be made easy", as quoted from President Jokowi's Twitter account on June 29.

There are three agendas carried out by President Jokowi in Ukraine. First visit Irpin, a city which is only 22 km from the capital city of Kyiv. There, Jokowi and his entourage saw the condition of the Lypki Apartment, a residence that was destroyed by the war against Russia.

President Jokowi and Mrs. Iriana when saw the condition of the Lipky Apartment in Irpin City, UKraina which was ravaged by the war. (Instagram@jokowi)

Next, the group visited the Center for Endocrine Science and Surgery, Endocrine Organ and Tissue Transplantation belonging to the Government of Ukraine in Kyiv. The hospital is used to treat victims of the Russian-Ukrainian war which has lasted almost 6 months.

Finally, President Jokowi met President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Maryinsky Palace, before returning to Poland in the afternoon. On the occasion of the meeting, President Jokowi handed over an invitation to President Zelensky to attend the G20 Summit which will be held in Bali in November.

"I extend an invitation to President Zelensky to personally attend the G20 Summit which will be held in Bali in November 2022", said President Jokowi.

But President Zelenksy did not promise to attend the G20 summit. His presence will depend on the situation in Ukraine later.

“The facilities of the chairman and members of the G20 are very important for the restoration of peace. I thank you, Mr. President, for the personal invitation to take part in the G20 summit, and of course, I accepted. Ukraine's participation will largely depend on the security situation of the country and the composition of the participants", President Zelensky said.

Ever Asked for Weapons

Four months before President Jokowi visited, Ukraine had asked Indonesia for help. The assistance requested by President Zelensky's statement is weapons. However, this request was rejected by Indonesia through a statement by President Jokowi.

In a telephone conversation on 27 April 2022, President Zelensky asked Indonesia for arms assistance to face the war against Russia.

President Jokowi and Mrs. Iriana handed over medical aid to the Center for Endocrine Science and Surgery, Endocrine Organ and Tissue Transplantation in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Website of the President of the Republic of Indonesia/BPMI Setpres/Laily Rachev)

"The discussion also discussed various requests for weapons assistance from Indonesia. I emphasize that by the mandate of the Indonesian constitution and the principles of Indonesia's foreign policy, it is prohibited to provide weapons assistance to other countries. I convey the hope that the war can be stopped immediately, and a peaceful solution through negotiations can be put forward", said President Jokowi at the time.

Regarding the visit to Ukraine, President Jokowi was the first head of state from Asia to come to the warring country.

Ukrainian Support for Indonesian Independence

It stands to reason that Indonesia should pay great attention to the plight of Ukraine, as a result of the conflict with their close relative, Russia. Ukraine was the first European country to support Indonesia's independence.

In the United Nations Assembly held at the Church House Westminster, London on January 10, 1946, Ukraine through their permanent representative at the United Nations, Dmitri Manuilsky became the first party to support Indonesian independence. Manuilsky was the former First Secretary of the Ukrainian Communist Party, which was still part of the Soviet Union.

Manuilsky then brought the issue of Indonesian independence to the UN Security Council Session on January 21, 1946. Manuilsky's proposal received support from Russia, Poland, Mexico, and China. As quoted by Reuters on January 21, 1946, Manuilsky said that Ukraine was indeed interfering in Indonesia's affairs, which conflicted with the Netherlands because it received many requests for support via telegram from Indonesian supporters.

Without the initial support from Ukraine at that time, Indonesia's independence could not be immediately recognized by the world. And to honor this support, a large parade with the theme of thanking Ukraine and Russia was held in Yogyakarta on February 14, 1946, which at that time was still the capital city of Indonesia.

Dmitry Manuilsky (standing far left), was the first Ukrainian diplomat to support Indonesia's independence at the United Nations Security Council Session, on January 21, 1946. (Life/Gjon Mili)

So it is appropriate that at this time Indonesia provides support for Ukraine, which is in big trouble. Moreover, 2022 is actually planned as the 30th anniversary of relations between Indonesia and Ukraine as independent countries, after being separated from the Soviet Union in 1991. In the Black Sea region, Indonesia is Ukraine's largest trading partner. Ukraine's largest imports from Indonesia are cocoa and palm oil, while its largest exports to Indonesia are wheat and steel products.

"I invite Indonesia, Indonesian companies, experts to join in the implementation of the post-Ukrainian-Russian war project, the largest economic project currently in Europe", President Zelensky was quoted as saying on the website of the Ukrainian Presidency on Thursday, June 30.

And to strengthen relations, Ukraine will enforce a visa-free visit policy for Indonesian citizens. Hopefully, President Jokowi's peaceful mission to Ukraine and Russia will be successful. The war was soon over, and Indonesians could visit Ukraine without the hassle of applying for visas.