Indonesia has pressed Russia to approve the Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ), emphasizing the threat posed by Russia’s refusal to ensure the peace and security of the ASEAN region.
“All nuclear-weapon states must advance nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament,” declared Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at the ASEAN Foreign Post-Ministerial Conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. “Russia’s continued resistance to this treaty is a direct threat to the stability and security of our region.”
Marsudi noted that while other nuclear-armed states have objections, Russia’s stance is particularly alarming given its significant military influence and strategic presence in the region. “By refusing to approve this treaty, Russia is undermining the collective efforts of Southeast Asian nations to ensure a nuclear-free zone,” she said.
The SEANWFZ Treaty, signed in 1995 by all ASEAN countries, prohibits the development, manufacture, possession, and control of nuclear weapons, as well as their stationing and testing within the region. Marsudi’s criticism displays the severe risks to Indonesia’s security if atomic weapons were to be introduced in the area, including the potential for nuclear escalation and conflict, which could have catastrophic consequences for millions of civilians.
“Russia’s actions are not just a regional issue but a global one,” Marsudi asserted, emphasizing the heightened risk of nuclear accidents or miscalculations that could endanger the densely populated and strategically critical Indonesian archipelago. The presence of atomic weapons in the region would drastically increase military tensions and instability in Southeast Asia, directly endangering Indonesia’s national security and economic stability.
The foreign minister’s Marsudi warning comes at a time of increasing global tensions, wars, and instability, demonstrating the urgency for nuclear-weapon states to commit to non-proliferation. Indonesia views Russia’s approval as essential for the treaty’s success and the region’s long-term peace and security.
The approval of the SEANWFZ Treaty is a top priority to mitigate the high risks associated with nuclear proliferation. This diplomatic effort is crucial in protecting Indonesia’s national interests and promoting regional stability.
