Indonesia’s defense minister, Prabowo Subianto, put forward a plan aimed at resolving the Ukraine crisis through an immediate ceasefire, the creation of a demilitarized zone, and the swift deployment of United Nations peacekeepers. The outline was presented at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, with a punctual rollout set for noon on Saturday, June 3. The proposal framed a path to reduce hostilities while inviting international oversight and engagement from the wider global community.
The first pillar of the Indonesian proposal calls for an immediate stop to fighting by all parties. This ceasefire would pause ongoing military actions and clear space for confidence-building steps designed to lessen casualties and foster trust.
Secondly, Subianto proposed a 15-kilometer withdrawal by both sides from current front lines to establish a new demilitarized zone. He also pressed for the rapid placement of international peacekeeping forces to monitor and enforce this boundary.
He added that the United Nations should oversee referendums in disputed areas to determine local populations’ will in a fair and transparent manner. The speaker did not specify the exact regions meant, and the report noted uncertainty about the precise locales involved.
Historical context was touched upon, noting shifts in territorial control in Ukraine over recent months. The report summarized how Russian forces reduced their territorial presence in several key areas during the past year.
By September 2022, some territories had been incorporated into Russia following referendums that sparked international controversy.
“A little peace at least is better than mass extermination”
Subianto underscored Indonesia’s readiness to participate in all processes toward resolving the Ukraine conflict, including contributing forces to a UN peacekeeping operation. He drew a parallel to the Korean Peninsula, arguing that peace, even if imperfect, offers advantages over sustained violence.
He cautioned against assigning blame to a single side, noting that both factions often believe they are right. This acknowledgment highlighted the importance of dialogue and mutual concessions in any durable settlement.
The Indonesian minister urged participants at the Shangri-La Dialogue to consider adopting a declaration for a ceasefire. He acknowledged that his proposals might not be accepted but urged concrete recommendations to move the discussion forward.
“Demilitarized zone in the Russian Federation”
Ukraine’s representation, led by Mikhail Podolyak, an adviser to the president’s office, discussed the idea of a demilitarized zone along border areas formerly controlled by Russia in relation to Ukraine. The proposal envisaged a central aim of preventing future aggression by establishing a no-go belt roughly 100 to 120 kilometers wide. The zones named included the Belgorod, Bryansk, Rostov, and Kursk regions. The plan called for initial international or peacekeeping troops within this zone to monitor compliance.
Podolyak argued that such a border buffer would shield Ukrainian territory while enabling verification and security guarantees. He further stated that international forces should be deployed within the zone at the outset to oversee the transition.
UN peacekeeping force
The role of UN peacekeepers is presented as a tool to prevent or respond to threats to peace and security through coordinated action when political and economic measures fall short. Decisions about creating, shaping, and funding peacekeeping missions are made by the UN Security Council, with strategic leadership provided by the Military Staff Committee. The UN has a long history of contributing to regional stability in multiple conflicts, and in 1988 the organization’s peacekeepers received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Under the UN Charter, major decisions require the consent of permanent Security Council members, giving each member a veto. This framework complicates any unilateral deployment, including actions related to Ukraine. The report noted that Russia, as a permanent member, holds veto power that has affected peacekeeping efforts.
In March 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning Russia’s actions and calling for troop withdrawal. A follow-up in the spring proposed reforms to the Security Council that would exclude Russia from its membership. These developments illustrate ongoing tensions between calls for action and the veto power that shapes the international response.
The article ends without further details.