The Praise Of The Russian Foreign Minister For The Role Of Indonesia Bangun Dialog With The Principles Of Equality In State Sovereignty

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (right) welcomes Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov/Via ANTARA

JAKARTA - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov appreciated Indonesia's role in various international forums.

"I see Indonesia's position as a responsible country, which understands the importance of establishing a dialogue based on international law and the principle of equal state sovereignty", said Lavrov when met on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM) in Nusa Dua Bali, Antara, Friday, July 8.

Lavrov said that the position taken by Indonesia was very appropriate, in its capacity as a member of the United Nations (UN) and its leadership as President of this year's G20 and Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2023.

Lavrov's presence in the G20 FMM has been in the spotlight, in the midst of Russia's invasion of Ukraine since February 24, 2024. Russia's actions have drawn criticism and sanctions from Western countries because they are considered illegal and unreasonable.

In fact, the G7 countries have put pressure on Russia through the imposition of economic sanctions and protests that have been shown in several international forums.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who refused to have a dialogue with Russia, also invited the G20 countries to put more pressure on Moscow to end its aggression in Ukraine.

However, Russia does not appear to be swayed by the attitude of the US or its allies.

“It is not us who are ignoring dialogue but the United States. If they don't want to talk, that's their choice", Lavrov said.