Jakarta. Both Russia and Ukraine have reacted quite differently to Indonesia’s abstention in a UN resolution on a truce, with Moscow saying that it understands why Jakarta is not picking sides.

Early this week, the UN passed a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to the war in Ukraine. The measure on lasting peace passed by a recorded vote of 107 in favor, 12 against, and 51 abstentions. Indonesia joined the US and Saudi Arabia in abstaining or choosing not to vote.

Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov told the press that it only reflected Jakarta’s wish to strike a balance in the matter.

“We appreciate very much Indonesia's decision to abstain. It reflects what has been called for quite many years, Indonesia’s balanced policy on the Ukraine crisis,” Tolchenov said in Jakarta on Wednesday. 

“When Indonesia abstains, it means it understands the root of the crisis.” 

Tolchenov went on to say how the UN had adopted similar resolutions in the past, but they would be futile due to what the diplomat said about Europe’s continuous arms supply to Kyiv. He even pointed out how the European Union (EU) had proposed extending its sanctions against Moscow to include Indonesia's Karimun port, which allegedly handles Russian oil.

 “Those who try to [add] oil to the fire of the Ukrainian crisis, they are the Europeans. Those countries that are still thinking of pumping more arms to Ukraine. They [Europe] are going to adopt a 20th package of sanctions against Russia, including an Indonesian port,” Tolchenov said.

The Jakarta Globe recently asked Ukrainian Chargé d'Affaires Yevhenia Shynkarenko to comment on Indonesia’s abstention. Shynkarenko admitted that Jakarta’s voice “carries weight and moral authority”. She described Indonesia as a country that keeps referring to the UN Charter and its international law in its foreign diplomacy, but Ukraine wants a more solid stance.

“We would have welcomed a stronger and firmer position in support of efforts to ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine,” Shynkarenko said.

The Globe has requested the Foreign Ministry to explain the rationale behind Jakarta’s abstention.

When the UN members voted on a similar measure in February 2025, Indonesia voted yes for a measure that wanted to “end the war” that year. This week marks the fourth year since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In his UN speech debut back in September, President Prabowo Subianto pledged to deploy peacekeepers to Ukraine and other hotspots.

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