Indonesia Confirms Inviting Russia to G20

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry ensured that the G20 committee will invite all forum members, including Russia, which is under the global spotlight for its invasion of Ukraine.

Indonesia's G20 Co-Sherpa and Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani said the invitation letter had been sent to Russia on February 22, 2022.

"As the G20 Presidency, in accordance with previous presidencies, we absolutely invite all members of G20," said Triansyah in the ministry's weekly press briefing on Thursday, March 24, 2022.

He emphasized that the G20 forum will discuss economic issues and this year's big theme is the collective recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It is necessary for us in G20 to address global recovery, which is a priority for many people in this world because as is well known, the world has not yet fully revived from the crisis," he added.

The United States and its allies questioned Russia's membership in the G20 after the invasion of Ukraine. A G7 source told Reuters on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, that there have been discussions about whether it is appropriate for Russia to be part of the G20.

Previously, the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Lyudmila Vorobieva confirmed the country had received the invitation letter for the G20 Bali Summit in October 2022. As it had been planned, he said, Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the global forum.

DANIEL AHMAD