President Jokowi Phone Calls Zelensky, Putin; Discuss 'Grain Initiative'

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has reportedly reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in separate phone calls to discuss many issues, which include the upcoming G20 summit in Bali and the "grain initiative."

“We discussed the importance of continuing the Grain Initiative. [Ukraine] is ready to continue to be the guarantor of global food security. Attention was also paid to preparations for the #G20 Summit." President Zelensky tweeted through his account on Thursday, November 3, 2022.

The Black Sea grains initiative, which was agreed upon by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the United Nations, has been under the spotlight recently after Moscow withdrew due to security concerns only to return later after claiming to have secured guarantees.

From the information shared in his tweet, Zelensky did not elaborate on his dialogue with Jokowi while the Indonesian President has yet to provide any official statement regarding their phone call.

This follows Jokowi's call with Putin on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, where Jokowi confirmed in his Tweet: "Had a phone conversation with President Putin and discussed the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Welcome, Rusia's decision to rejoin the initiative."

None of the Tweets from the state leaders directly mentioned their participation in the G20 summit in Indonesia next week.

As previously reported, President Joko Widodo in a press conference at the Indo Defence Expo & Forum 2022 on Wednesday said that out of the majority of state leaders who will attend the G20 Summit in Bali, there are just three who have yet to confirm their attendance.

"I will make some calls to confirm it," said President Jokowi in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. 

However, Jokowi did not specifically mention who the individuals are but said that 17 state leaders confirmed attendance was above average even in normal circumstances. "This means that during difficult times, their attendance is an honor for us," Jokowi added.

DANIEL AHMAD

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