Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – International Relations observer from Padjajaran University, Teuku Rezasyah, criticized the Ukrainian government’s undiplomatic remarks regarding Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto’s peace proposal. Rezasyah believes that Ukraine is currently facing a loss of trust from many countries. “In my opinion, Ukraine’s statement is undiplomatic. They should be grateful to Indonesia,” Rezasyah said on Tuesday (6/6/2023), as reported by Republika.
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According to Rezasyah, even the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is not fully supportive of Ukraine. Several political figures and citizens have also begun to oppose the Ukrainian government and President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Ukraine should be grateful to Indonesia for being a mediator for peace between the two countries. However, due to the psychological difficulties faced by the country, such remarks that don’t soothe the heart came out,” Rezasyah said.
Previously, the Ukrainian government rejected the proposal offered by Prabowo and stated that it could harm their country. “It sounds like a Russian plan, not an Indonesian plan. We don’t need this mediator coming to us with this strange plan,” said Oleksii Rezkinov, as reported by Ukrainian media Ukrinform on Tuesday (6/6/2023).
Regardless of the fact that the proposal came from Prabowo and not President Joko Widodo, Rezasyah believes that it is not a problem. Instead, the proposal can serve as a reference for the Indonesian government to help ensure Indonesia’s position towards Ukraine.
Read also: Ukrainian Ambassador Satisfied with Prabowo’s Clarification Regarding the Peace Proposal
One of Prabowo’s proposals is an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, followed by the withdrawal of each party by 15 km from their front positions to form a demilitarized zone. The proposal also calls for the United Nations (UN) to deploy monitoring and surveillance forces along the zone and to hold a referendum in the disputed areas.
Reznikov stated that world leaders willing to negotiate in the war have formed a “queue.” However, Ukraine needs a “tool” to end this war.
In his closing remarks, the Ukrainian Defense Minister suggested that China might be able to convince Russia to end the war as Moscow’s “big brother.” “Currently, we do not need a facilitator. Our country is still at war,” Reznikov said.
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The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously stated that Prabowo’s peace plan will not succeed. Instead, Ukraine has requested Indonesia to join in implementing Ukraine’s own peace formula.
This formula includes achieving long-term peace in Ukraine, which means liberating the entire Ukrainian territory from Russian occupation.