The Indonesian Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Calls Russia's Referendum For Four Illegal Ukrainian Regions

A resident put his ballot letter in a ballot box at the TPS on the second day of the Donetsk People's Republic Referendum joining Russia in Mariupol, Ukraine, Saturday (9/9/2022). (Between/Reuters/Alexander Ermochenko)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the referendum held by Russia in four Ukrainian regions violated the principles of the United Nations Charter (UN) and international law.

The referendum has been the basis for illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions, namely Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson, by Russia.

Every country must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries. This principle is clearly stated and is one of the main principles of the United Nations Charter," said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Twitter on Sunday, October 2, 2022, as quoted by Antara.

Indonesia considers that the referendum will make it more difficult to resolve conflicts through negotiations and result in a more prolonged war, which will harm all parties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (30/9) announced the annexation of four Ukrainian territories and promised Moscow would win in "special military operations" even as he faces a potentially serious retaliatory new military action.

Putin's proclamation of the annexation came after Russia held a vote which he called a referendum in occupied areas of Ukraine.

The governments of Western countries and Kiev say the vote violates international law, is coercive and non-presentative.

The United States, Britain, and Canada announced new sanctions in response to Russia's move.

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy on Friday said his country had submitted a request for a swift path to join the NATO military alliance.

Zelenskyy also said he would not hold peace talks with Russia as long as Putin was president.