Japan, Indonesia urge swift halt to Ukraine fighting

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Japan, Indonesia urge swift halt to Ukraine fighting

The photo released by Indonesian presidential palace, Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida, left, and Indonesian president Joko Widodo wave during their meeting on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. Indonesian President Palace via AP JAKARTA Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged a swift halt to fighting in Ukraine on Friday and said they would work together to improve humanitarian conditions there.

After meeting Kishida in Jakarta, the Ukraine war must be stopped immediately and we agree to create a conducive situation.

Indonesia is Kishida's first stop on an eight-day trip that will take him to Vietnam, Thailand, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine shook the foundations of the international order, including in Asia, and must be strongly condemned, Kishida said.

Kishida and Widodo discussed Indonesia's role as the current chair of the Group of 20 leading rich and developing nations.

Widodo said that Indonesia will use the G-20 leadership as a catalyst for a humanitarian response and world economic recovery.

In November, Widodo announced that he invited both Ukraine President Volodymr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G-20 leaders' summit in Bali. He said Putin agreed to attend but it was not clear whether it would be in person or virtually. It was not immediately known whether Zelenskyy would attend.

Widodo said he rejected a request from the Ukrainian leader for weapons from Indonesia.

The constitution of Indonesia and the principles of our foreign policy prohibits providing arms to other countries, Widodo said. We are ready to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine. He said that it was important to end the war immediately. He said in televised remarks that Indonesia is ready to contribute to these peaceful efforts and that peaceful efforts should continue.

Indonesia is hoping for more Japanese investment, especially in energy, cement, agricultural technology and health, and that Japan will make Indonesia an important part of the global supply chain for its industries, Widodo said.

Japan is Indonesia's third largest export destination and fifth largest investor. The Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit system and Patimban Port are part of the cooperation between the two countries, which includes the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit system and the Patimban Port in West Java province.