TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Spokesperson of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rolliansyah Soemirat or Roy, addressed reports regarding Russia's interest in United Nations peacekeeping forces from several countries, including Indonesia, at the Russia-Ukraine border. He emphasized that the ministry has not received a formal request for such peacekeeping forces.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not received an official request from any party wishing for the presence of Indonesian peacekeeping forces in the Russia-Ukraine border area," said Roy in his official statement on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Roy stressed that the Indonesian government is closely monitoring the ongoing efforts and negotiations between the conflicting parties.

Furthermore, Roy stated that Indonesia supports all efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict through inclusive negotiation and diplomacy.

According to information from Tempo sources, Russia has rejected peacekeeping forces from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or the European Union to secure the Russia-Ukraine border. Instead, Russia prefers UN peacekeeping forces from India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia.

A Reuters report from January 23 indicated that Russia rejected the idea of NATO countries sending peacekeeping forces to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. Russia stated that such actions would potentially cause "uncontrollable escalation."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the idea is completely unacceptable to Russia. In a press conference, she referenced recent statements by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius regarding the possibility of their countries contributing forces to peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine.

Pistorius stated in a newspaper interview on January 18 that Germany, as NATO's largest European partner, has a 'role to play' and that the matter would be discussed appropriately.

On January 16, Starmer stated that Britain had discussed the idea of peacekeeping forces with other allies. "We will play our full part," he said.

Russia has indicated its openness to dialogue with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has expressed his intention to end the war swiftly.

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