President Jokowi: Ukraine-Russia Border Crisis: War Must Not Happen

Russian tanks take part in a military exercise near the Ukrainian border. (Source: Russian Ministry of Defense/Evgeny Polovodov/Dmitry Gutov)

JAKARTA - President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said war should not happen, highlighting tensions in the border region of Ukraine, by suggesting the world should focus on handling the pandemic and economic recovery.

Tensions have plagued Ukraine's border with Russia in recent times, with Western countries led by the United States fearing Russia may invade its former Soviet Union neighbour.

Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly said accusations of an invasion of Ukraine were untrue despite its security proposals, including wanting to stop the deployment of Western missiles in eastern Europe, and "not allowing" Ukraine to join NATO.

"Rivalry and tension in Ukraine must stop as soon as possible. All parties involved must exercise restraint and we must all contribute to peace. War must not happen," President Joko Widodo wrote on his Twitter account, as quoted on February 21.

"It's time for the world to synergize and collaborate to face the pandemic. It's time for us to restore the world economy, anticipate food shortages, and prevent hunger," President Jokowi continued.

As previously reported, US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed in principle to a summit on Ukraine, the US and French leaders said, offering a possible way out of one of Europe's most dangerous crises in decades.

The office of French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement on Monday he had put the two leaders at a summit on "strategic security and stability in Europe."

While the White House said in a statement President Biden had accepted the meeting "in principle", but only "if an invasion does not occur."

"We are always ready for diplomacy. (But) we are also ready to impose swift and severe consequences if Russia chooses war," said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, citing Reuters February 21.

The news is a cooling in the midst of efforts to prevent a crisis from occurring, when Russian-backed militia groups have been in contact with Russian Government troops since last week.

Meanwhile, the Belarusian Defense Minister said Russia would extend its military drills which were completed on Sunday, a move that was regretted by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

To note, although the West continues to say that it will impose new sanctions on Russia if an invasion occurs, America is reluctant to rush in imposing sanctions for fear of becoming a crisis if the sanctions are imposed. However, it was strongly criticized by Ukraine.

"The purpose of sanctions in the first degree is to try to prevent Russia from going to war. As soon as you trigger them, the deterrence is gone," Foreign Secretary Antony Blinken told CNN's 'State of the Union' show.

"You told me 100 percent there would be a war within a few days. What are you waiting for?" frustrated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked the audience at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, repeating earlier calls for the West to impose sanctions on Russia now rather than later.

"We don't need your sanctions after a bombardment, or after a country in our territory is fired upon, or if we don't have borders anymore, we don't have an economy, or parts of our state are occupied," President Zelenskiy said.

Rivalry and tension in Ukraine must be stopped as soon as possible. All parties involved must exercise restraint and we must all contribute to peace. War can't happen.

— Joko Widodo (@jokowi) February 21, 2022