By saying basmalah (in the name of God), I am accompanying Mr. President here.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo symbolically handed over medicine assistance to the Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Center of Endocrine Surgery, Transplantation of Endocrine Organs and Tissues in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday.

She handed over the aid while visiting the hospital with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) after observing an apartment complex damaged in the Russia-Ukraine conflict in Irpin city, which is located to the west of Kyiv.

"Mr. Jokowi and I gave some assistance to the hospital which had been affected by the war," she said after handing the aid, according to a statement received here on Wednesday.

She expressed the hope that the conflict will end soon, saying she felt saddened to see the impact of the war.

"By saying basmalah (in the name of God), I am accompanying Mr. President here,” she remarked.

The Indonesian government also provided additional aid to Ukraine through the Ukrainian Red Cross and expressed its commitment to assisting in reconstructing war-damaged hospitals.

This was conveyed by Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi on a separate occasion.

The President and First Lady have been accompanied by Marsudi and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung to Ukraine.

After the hospital, President Widodo and his entourage are scheduled to head to Maryinsky Palace for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as part of an effort to encourage a peace dialogue between Ukraine and Russia.

Furthermore, on Wednesday afternoon, Widodo and his entourage will return to Kyiv Central Station, Ukraine, to leave for Przemysl Station, Poland, on board an extraordinary train provided by the Ukrainian government.

After visiting Zelenskyy, the Indonesian President is scheduled to leave for Moscow, Russia, to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (June 30, 2022).
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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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