Indonesian Citizens Remain in Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict
As the war in Ukraine continues, the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv has confirmed that 72 Indonesian citizens remain in the country. All are reported to be safe and in good health.
“The total number of Indonesian citizens in Ukraine remains at 72, including 16 embassy staff. Fortunately, everyone is in good condition,” said Monita Purba, Coordinator of the Consular Protocol and Sociocultural Information Function at the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv.
She explained that the majority of these citizens are dispersed throughout Ukraine. Many are located in the capital city of Kyiv, while others reside in western Ukraine (Lviv, Ternopil, and Ivano-Frankivsk), southwest Ukraine (Chernivtsi and Kharkiv), and southern Ukraine (Odesa). Many are married to Ukrainian citizens, work for international organizations or NGOs, or are employed as spa therapists in Odesa.
Embassy vigilance and communication
The Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv is diligently monitoring the situation and regularly provides security advisories to Indonesian citizens. In response to major attacks, Monita said, the embassy communicates directly with citizens through WhatsApp groups.
Defying the warnings: New arrivals in Ukraine
Despite the ongoing conflict and a “red” travel advisory issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, some Indonesian citizens entered Ukraine in 2024. This highlights the complex motivations and unique circumstances why individuals choose to stay in or travel to Ukraine despite the ongoing conflict.
Evacuation efforts and a search for peace
As of April 2022, the Indonesian government had conducted evacuation operations for 133 Indonesian citizens following Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022. Recent developments in the war include U.S. President Joe Biden’s approval of long-range missile systems for Ukraine in mid-November. ,This decision has prompted threats of retaliation from Russia, raising the stakes in the already tense standoff.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism, stating he believed the conflict could be resolved in 2025.
What are the main reasons why some Indonesian citizens are unable or unwilling to leave Ukraine?
Let’s create a short interview based on the provided information.
## Interview: Indonesians Remain in Ukraine
**(Intro Music)**
**Host:** Welcome back to the program. The war in Ukraine tragically continues, and despite the ongoing conflict, a number of foreign nationals remain in the country. We’re joined today by Dewi Lestari, a researcher specializing in Southeast Asian relations. Dewi, thanks for joining us.
**Dewi Lestari:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** The Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv has confirmed that 72 Indonesian citizens are still in Ukraine. Can you tell us more about the situation there?
**Dewi Lestari:** It’s a complex situation. While the Indonesian Embassy has said all 72 citizens, including their own staff, are safe and well, the ongoing war means the situation remains precarious. It’s likely many of these individuals are unable or unwilling to leave due to various reasons, such as family ties, personal circumstances, or lack of resources.
**Host:** This news comes against a backdrop of Indonesia’s unique foreign policy approach to the war. As we know, Indonesia invited Ukrainian President Zelensky to the G20 summit, while simultaneously trying to maintain open dialog with Russia. Can you speak to Indonesia’s stance in all of this?
**Dewi Lestari:** Indonesia has been walking a diplomatic tightrope. While condemning the invasion, Indonesia has also emphasized the need for dialog and a peaceful resolution. Their G20 chairmanship puts them in a difficult position, attempting to bridge the widening gap between Western nations and Russia [[1](https://eastasiaforum.org/2022/08/05/ukraine-war-highlights-differences-between-indonesian-and-u-s-foreign-policy-frameworks/)].
**Host:** It’ll be interesting to see how Indonesia navigates these complexities in the coming months. Dewi Lestari, thank you for sharing your insights.
**Dewi Lestari:** My pleasure.
**(Outro Music)**
