Amidst mounting pressure from Western countries, Indonesia's diplomatic relations with Russia remain steadfast, according to Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Lyudmila Vorobieva. In an exclusive interview with Russia's state media TASS, released on Saturday (February 17), Vorobieva emphasized that Indonesia has not succumbed to Western pressure, particularly evident during its leadership roles in the G20 and ASEAN.
"Indonesia faced pressure from Western 'partners,' especially during its presidency of the G20 and ASEAN," Vorobieva stated.
As a member of the G20, Russia's presence was notable during Indonesia's presidency of the forum in 2022, where President Vladimir Putin was invited. However, shortly after the announcement, several Western countries threatened to boycott the forum.
Despite these challenges, Indonesia successfully hosted the G20 summit in Bali. The event saw the absence of only three heads of state: President Vladimir Putin, the President of Brazil, and the President of Mexico. Russia was represented by its delegation led by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
During the interview, Ambassador Vorobieva commended Indonesia for its resilience against Western pressure and its successful organization of the international forum. She remarked, "We must commend our ally, Indonesia, for not succumbing to this pressure."
Vorobieva further highlighted the close communication and positive progress in cooperation between Russia and Indonesia.
Additionally, Vorobieva mentioned that other countries engaging in relations with Russia have also faced similar pressures, although she did not provide specific details.
The statement underscores Indonesia's commitment to maintaining independent diplomatic relations and its ability to navigate complex international dynamics effectively, despite external pressures from Western nations.