Meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov In China, Foreign Minister Retno: Stop The War

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. (Facebook/Embassy of Russia)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has called for the war in Ukraine to be stopped immediately, due to the impact it has on humanity and the economy, hoping that the negotiations between the relevant parties can achieve the best results.

Foreign Minister Retno was in Tunxi, China at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Minister, 'Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan + Afghanistan Foreign Ministers' Dialogue.', to discuss the situation in the country.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Foreign Minister Retno held a bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. On this occasion, Foreign Minister Retno discussed the issue of the Russian invasion of Ukraine which had been going on for five weeks since February 24.

"I emphasize the principle position of Indonesia which we always uphold, in accordance with international law, the principles of the UN Charter such as sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Foreign Minister Retno regarding her meeting with Foreign Minister Lavrov, in a virtual press statement Thursday, March 31.

"I also ask for the war to be stopped, because the impact on humanity is extraordinary and the global economic recovery," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Regarding the efforts to negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine, the latest of which was carried out in Turkey, Foreign Minister Retno hoped that it would continue to achieve the best results.

"We need flexibility so that negotiations can produce good results," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Meanwhile, regarding the 23 Indonesian citizens who chose to stay in Ukraine because they were married to this citizen, the Director of Indonesian Citizen Protection at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha, ensured that their condition was monitored by the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with current conditions being safe even though the war was still ongoing.

"We are monitoring the condition, so far it is safe. We are also monitoring the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv, because their safety is our priority," Judha said.