Bridges of Understanding: How Indonesia and Ukraine Develop Partnership

 

Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country, has long been an example of interfaith harmony – a Muslim majority and a Christian minority coexist peacefully here. The state seeks to maintain the same balance in its foreign policy, maintaining business ties with various global players. We spoke with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Arief Muhammad Basalamah, about the current state of Ukrainian-Indonesian relations, opportunities for mutual learning, and valuable lessons from Indonesia’s history.

 

1. Your Excellency, this year marks a significant occasion for our countries — the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. What do you consider the most notable achievements over these 33 years?

This year marks the 33^rd Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Ukraine. I believe people to people contacts has become the most notable achievements over these periods. At least during my tenure here, I noted that the interaction between the peoples of our two countries has been intensified in various activities, including in political, economic and socio-cultural spheres. This has certainly become contributing factors for maintaining bilateral cooperation and relations of our two countries.

2. The relationship between Ukraine and the Republic of Indonesia is based on the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and a balanced approach to the development of multifaceted partnership. Obviously, the war of aggression initiated by the Russian Federation has not hindered productive and long-term cooperation: both states actively advocate for peaceful conflict resolution, especially in key areas. How would you assess the current level of cooperation between our countries?

I am pleased to note that the bilateral relations and cooperation between our two countries have been maintained and continued to develop despite current geopolitical challenges. On political aspect, the visit of President Joko Widodo to Kyiv and the meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in June 2022 was a reflection on the Indonesia’s commitment to uphold the principles of relations between countries, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. I believe the meeting between the then President-Elect of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, and President Zelensky during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June 2023 has also highlighted the level of cooperation between our two countries. During the meeting, a multi-point peace plan for ending the Ukraine-Russia conflict was also voiced by Indonesia. Despite disagreement, Indonesia and Ukraine have continued to maintain communication and cooperation.

On economic field, I observed a positive trend on the bilateral trade between Indonesia and Ukraine in the last 3 (three year). In 2024, the trade volume between our two countries reached USD 753.1 million, increased by 43.3% compared to previous year. It hoped that the trade volume could reach USD 1 billion in the near future. I am also glad there are growing interests from both countries to explore further potential economic cooperation, including in investment. Based on our data, there are currently Ukraine’s investment in Indonesia, which its values reached up to USD 23,5 million in third quarter of 2024.

On socio-cultural affairs, I am pleased to share a growing number of universities and education institutions from both countries that are establishing cooperation between each other. In the last two years, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Kyiv has involved and facilitated 10 cooperation agreements on education between both countries and will be followed by some similar agreements soon.

3. Both our countries have substantial Muslim populations. Can we exchange experiences in this field, and what can we learn from each other? In your opinion, what should be done to enhance bilateral relations in this regard?

 Absolutely, Indonesia and Ukraine can exchange experiences in this field. I am sure that both countries can mutually benefit from such activities. Indonesia is home to around 244 million people identifying as Muslim or about 87% of its total population. Maintaining religious tolerance by coexist peacefully with those who embrace other religions (i.e. Christian, Catholics, Hindu, Buddhist, Confucianism, and other traditional faiths), I think it could become the area that Indonesia could share with Ukraine. On other hand, Ukraine’s experience in maintaining the cultural heritage, particularly with Crimean Tatars and other Muslim ethnic groups, could provide Indonesia with perspectives on minority rights protection and religious minority inclusion.

I am certain, cooperation between Muslim communities of our two countries could contribute to the strengthening bilateral relations. Areas of activities that could be explored, among others are student exchanges, interfaith and cross-cultural dialogue programs as well as economic and socio-cultural cooperation.

4. Ukraine appreciates Indonesia’s principled stance on the issues of territorial integrity and support for the observance of international law. How do you evaluate the prospects for Indonesia’s continued support of Ukraine in international forums and bilateral cooperation?

As I mentioned earlier, Indonesia has a vision of upholding respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity as a basic principle of relations between countries, in accordance with the principles of the UN charter and international law. In this context, Indonesia remains committed to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Recently, Indonesia voted in favor of the UN General Assembly Resolution on “Advancing a Comprehensive, Just and Lasting Peace for Ukraine” adopted on 24 February 2025.

5. Please tell us about the Indonesian cultural programs currently being implemented in Ukraine. Are there any cultural or humanitarian initiatives? How do you assess their impact?

The Embassy of Indonesia in Kyiv have continued to carry out cultural activities in the last three years. This included exhibitions as well as visit and general lecture to several universities across Ukraine. In 2024 – first semester of 2025, the Embassy conducted 5 exhibitions titled “Indonesia Through the Lens” in 5 cities of Ukraine (Kyiv, Lviv, Nizhyn, Chernivtsi, and Kamianets-Podilskyi) as well as 6 public lectures, to give some exposures about Indonesian socio-cultural, economic, and political issues to several universities, involving lecturer and academicians both from Indonesia and Ukraine. Some significant impacts that I observed from such activities are among other the establishment of Centre for Indonesian Culture at the Nizhyn Mykola Gogol State University, growing interest from Ukrainian students to learn Indonesian language, as well as the opening of Eastern European Studies in Bina Mandiri University in Gorontalo. These are examples of our efforts to promote better understanding on socio-cultural nature of our two countries.

6. What is the current state of affairs regarding investments of Indonesian businesses in Ukraine and, conversely, Ukrainian businesses in Indonesia?

See answer in No. 2

7. Regarding the political situation: in your opinion, what could help end the hostilities and contribute to the restoration of peace?

Intensification of peace talks should be conducted albeit slow progress achieved in every round while campaign to end hostilities should be supported by international community, governmental as well as non-governmental organization alike.

8. Given that the majority of Indonesians are Muslims and the majority of Ukrainians are Christians, how would you assess the current state of Christian-Muslim dialogue? What are the possible points of interreligious convergence?

See answer in No. 3

9. Indonesia is a founding member of one of the most influential global organizations — ASEAN. Given Russia’s aggression, Ukraine considers ASEAN countries its priority partners in addressing regional security and bilateral cooperation. In your view, how can Ukraine develop effective cooperation with ASEAN member states?

We acknowledge the intention of Ukraine to obtain the status of ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner. While it is still being discussed by all the ASEAN Member Countries, I think Ukraine should also start to identify its strengths that could contribute to the development cooperation and partnership with ASEAN. Along with that, engagement with countries in the region should also be maintained and developed both bilaterally and regionally.

10. Indonesia declared its independence in 1945 after colonial rule by the Netherlands. Your country looks to the future with optimism and has achieved considerable success in science, education, and economic development. What lessons from Indonesia’s history might be useful for Ukraine in shaping its own future? What would you like the Ukrainian people to know about the most significant achievements of the Indonesian people and their contributions to global development?

After gaining independence in 1945, the founding fathers established the principles in navigating Indonesia’s foreign relations amidst the post-World War II and the Cold War, known as “Free and Active” foreign policy. Based on those principles, Indonesia has maintained and continued to establish friendly relations with all nations while voicing its anti-colonial stance and promoting the establishment of world order based on freedom, eternal peace and social justice.

As a nation, the people of Indonesia are conscious about the importance to maintain the cohesiveness of its national identity as reflected in the state ideology “Pancasila” (=the Five Principles). The implementation of Pancasila and the use of “Bahasa Indonesia” (Indonesian language) as lingua franca have united of more than 1.300 ethnic groups and more than 700 regional languages respectively as enshrined in the State motto “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (=unity in diversity). 

Indonesia is aware that the success for achieving national welfare and development is also influenced by external factor, including security, peace and stability of Southeast Asia and its immediate areas. Therefore, Indonesia has been committed to the creation of a conducive and safe regional environment by promoting mutually respectful and “good neighborly” relations in the region. Indonesia along with 4 other Southeast Asian countries formed regional organization “Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)” on 8 August 1967, which is currently consisting of 10 members and will have its 11^th member in October 2025.

Indonesia has been benefited by the principle of mutually respectful and good neighborly relations as underlined in the ASEAN Treaty on Amity Cooperation (TAC) and the ASEAN Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN), allowing it to carry out its national development and to realize a prosperous and just society. Certainly, Indonesia as a member of international community and with its capacity remains committed to continue its contribution in realizing a peaceful, just and prosperous world.

We sincerely congratulate the people of Indonesia on this significant occasion and look forward to continued fruitful cooperation between our countries.

Kyiv,   June 2025