TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said Indonesia is ready to take a role as a bridge in the peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine.

“Peace and humanity issues have always been a priority for Indonesia's foreign policy. In this context, I made visits to Kyiv and Moscow,” said Jokowi in a joint press statement with President Putin at the Kremlin Palace, Thursday afternoon Moscow time, as quoted from the Indonesia Presidential Secretariat.

In his first visit to Russia, Jokowi became the first Asian leader to visit the country since its invasion of Ukraine in February this year. The war led to rising prices of global oil and food.

He emphasized that albeit the current situation is still complicated, it is important to keep prioritizing a peaceful settlement and open spaces for dialogues.

“I have conveyed President Zelensky's message to President Putin and offered my readiness to become a mediator between the two leaders,” said President Jokowi.

On the same occasion, Vladimir Putin said Russia and Indonesia have established good diplomatic relations for decades and hoped that Indonesia would help resolve the crisis in its G20 presidency.

EKA YUDHA SAPUTRA

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