Indonesia Abstains on Ceasefire Resolution for Ukraine at UN General Assembly: Why?
Jakarta, Indonesia abstained in voting on a ceasefire resolution for Ukraine at the UN General Assembly. What was the reason?
The UN General Assembly session on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, passed a resolution for lasting peace in Ukraine submitted by Ukraine. Although the majority of countries ultimately supported it and the resolution was adopted, Indonesia chose to abstain.
Russia was among the countries that rejected the resolution proposal, whilst the United States abstained.
The resolution affirmed the commitment of the UN General Assembly to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity, including the integrity of its territorial waters.
What prompted Indonesia to abstain?
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Vahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela addressed questions about Indonesia’s position during a press conference at the Foreign Ministry office in Pejambon, Central Jakarta, on Friday, 27 February 2026.
“Regarding the Ukraine issue, we in principle emphasise the inclusiveness of the process in discussing this matter itself,” Vahd said.
He explained that Indonesia wanted the negotiation process for the resolution draft to be conducted inclusively.
The discussion of the resolution for Ukraine yesterday was deemed to not reflect the inclusive approach that Indonesia expected. Therefore, Indonesia chose to abstain.
“This is reflected by quite a large number of countries that abstained, not just Indonesia, reaching 50 countries. This also reflects the message that we need an inclusive negotiation process,” Vahd said.
Another Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Yvonne Elizabeth Mewengkang, explained that countries that abstained included India, Pakistan, South Africa, the People’s Republic of China, and Saudi Arabia.
According to her, these countries also felt that the Ukraine resolution draft lacked inclusiveness or was not sufficiently open in its discussion process.
“Unfortunately, according to Indonesia’s position, this was not demonstrated in the adoption process of the resolution draft, where no space for negotiation was opened at all regarding the proposed concept,” Yvonne said.