Putin Plans To Come To G20 Summit In Bali, Luhut Only Affirms G20 Economic Forum, Not Politics

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan/DOK Setkab

BADUNG - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan responded to Indonesia's insistence on rejecting the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit in Bali.

Luhut only emphasized that the G20 is an economic forum, not a political one. Therefore, according to Luhut, it is too early to talk about the arrival of state leaders, including Putin.

"We'll see, we'll wait. The G20 is an economic forum, so there's no political forum. We'll see, it's still too early to comment," said Luhut Pandjaitan in Nusa Dua, Badung, Bali, Thursday, March 24.

Luhut admitted that he did not know about the invitation from Indonesia to Putin to attend the G20 Summit in Bali.

"We'll see. That's what I said earlier, this is an economic forum, so we'll see," he said.

It was previously reported that Indonesia will continue to invite Russia to attend the G20 Summit which will be held at the end of October, amid heavy criticism over the invasion of Ukraine.

Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Lyudmila Vorobieva in her statement yesterday in Jakarta said Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning to attend the G20 Summit in Bali.

He appreciated the position of the Government of Indonesia as the G20 Presidency, amid requests not to invite Russia to attend.

Regarding this matter, the Special Staff for Strengthening Priority Programs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the G20 Co-Sherpa, Dian Triansyah Djani, said that Indonesia would still invite Russia.

"As a presidency and in accordance with the previous presidency, Indonesia invites all members," he said in a virtual press statement Thursday, March 24.

Dian emphasized that Indonesia has on various occasions led international organizations and forums in the world, always adhering to the applicable rules and procedures.

"One of the duties of the presidency is to consult with all members. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, the Minister of Finance and others hold consultations with all parties on a bilateral basis," he explained.

"Our position is clear, we will carry out our duties. We will not comment on other people's comments," he said.