Indonesian president requests Russian security guarantees for Ukrainian food exports

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Palace, Thursday (June 30), according to a written statement from the Indonesian Cabinet Secretariat here on Friday.

The head of state said that he has discussed with his Russian counterpart about the disruption of the food and fertilizer supply chain which could affect hundreds of millions of people in the world, especially in developing countries.

“I really appreciate President Putin who said earlier that (will) provide security guarantees for food and fertilizer supplies from Ukraine and Russia. This is good news,” President Jokowi said in a joint press statement with President Putin at the Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, Thursday (June 30).

Jokowi also emphasized Indonesia’s support for the effort of the United Nations (U.N.) to reintegrate Russian and Ukrainian food commodities into global supply chains.

“For the sake of humanity, I also support the United Nations’ effort for the reintegration of Russian food and fertilizer commodities and Ukrainian food commodities to re-enter the world supply chain,” the Indonesia president said.

Especially for the export route for Ukrainian food products, particularly through the sea route, he added, “President Putin has given his guarantee.”

President Jokowi emphasized that Indonesia has no interest except wanting the war to end soon and the food, fertilizer and energy supply chains to be restored immediately.

“I invite all world leaders to work together to revive the spirit of multilateralism, the spirit of peace, and the spirit of cooperation. Only with this spirit can peace be achieved,” he stressed.

Previously, on Wednesday (June 29) the Indonesian president held a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at the Maryinsky Palace, Kyiv.

During the meeting, the head of state said that his visit to Ukraine was a form of Indonesian people’s concern for Ukraine, and would bring a message from Ukraine to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I conveyed to President Zelenskyy that I made this visit as a manifestation of Indonesia’s concern for the situation in Ukraine,” Jokowi said when delivering a joint press statement with President Zelenskyy after the meeting.

To Zelenskyy, Jokowi emphasized Indonesia’s position which respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a country.

The Indonesian president also expressed his concern over the impact of war on humanity.

With existing capabilities, the people and the Government of Indonesia are trying to provide assistance including medicine and a commitment to rebuild hospitals around Kyiv.

Reporting by Indonesia Window