Jakarta (ANTARA) - House of Representatives (DPR RI) Commission I Chair Meutya Hafid opined that Indonesia can play a role in defusing the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine on account of its sound relations with both nations.

Indonesia's Constitution has mandated the country to contribute to creating and achieving world peace and world order, the commission chair stated.

"Indonesia's stance must reiterate the international principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Indonesia must also initiate attempts to achieve a peaceful resolution (to the conflict) either through direct engagements with Russia and Ukraine or through the UN General Assembly," Hafid noted in her statement in Jakarta on Friday.

Apart from the Constitutional mandate to contribute to world peace, Indonesia's current G20 Presidency also augmented the country's standing in efforts to defuse the conflict, she pointed out.

The commission chair expressed concern that if no action was taken, then the war may escalate to a greater scale that can trigger World War III.

"I opined that peaceful resolution at the UN General Assembly was the only option since member states at the Assembly have an equal standing, and none of the countries have veto power," Hafid remarked.

She urged the United Nations and the international community to exert their efforts in calling for peaceful resolution and negotiations to the conflicting sides.

The international community must ensure that belligerents in the conflict would not violate the UN Charter, UN resolutions, and international law, Hafid stated.

The commission chair also urged all parties to respect the Geneva Convention and international humanitarian laws and remain committed to not harming civilians and not hindering efforts to help war victims.

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Translator: Imam B, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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