Indonesia Abstains at UN General Assembly Session on Ukraine Due to Lack of Inclusive Discussions
JAKARTA — Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has explained why Indonesia abstained rather than voted in the ceasefire decision proposed by Ukraine at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, 24 February 2026.
The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Vahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela, stated that the reason concerns the lack of inclusivity or openness in the resolution’s discussion process.
He emphasised the necessity of applying the principle of inclusivity in the process of discussing the conflict resolution resolution.
“Since the beginning, this issue has been under discussion at the UN, Indonesia has actually been in a position to play a role in ensuring inclusive dialogue, especially within the UN format,” he said during a press conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office on Friday, 27 February 2026.
“And this is reflected in the fact that quite a number of countries abstained, not just Indonesia. Reaching 50 countries, and this also reflects the message that we need an inclusive negotiation process,” he added.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson 1, Yvonne Mawengkang, added that the abstention decision was mostly taken by developing and middle-income countries such as India, Pakistan, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
Yvonne stated that the abstention was a form of concern similar to Indonesia’s regarding the need to prioritise inclusive dialogue in every conflict resolution.
“Unfortunately, according to Indonesia’s position, this has not been demonstrated in the adoption process of the draft resolution. Where there was absolutely no space opened for negotiation on the proposed concept,” she stressed.
Although the majority of countries ultimately supported and the resolution passed, Indonesia chose to abstain.
According to ANTARA, 107 votes were in favour and 12 opposed, whilst 51 other countries abstained.
Russia was one of the countries that rejected the resolution proposal, and the United States abstained.
The resolution affirms the UN General Assembly’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, including the integrity of its territorial seas.
In addition to encouraging “an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire”, the resolution also urges “comprehensive exchange of prisoners of war, release of all persons unlawfully detained, and return of all civilians who were displaced or forcibly deported, including children” as a key step to build mutual trust.