Strategic Equidistance: Indonesia's Foreign Policy Legacy and Post-Hegemonic Agency in the Russia–Ukraine War

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of International Relations Universitas Padjadjaran, Jalan Raya Bandung Sumedang Jawa Barat, Indonesia

2 Department of South-East Asia and Ocean Studies, Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

10.22059/jices.2025.400307.1099

Abstract

This article introduces the concept of "Strategic Equidistance" to provide a novel and systematic analysis of Indonesia's foreign policy response to the Russia–Ukraine war. Moving beyond simplistic notions of neutrality or indecision, the study argues that Indonesia's stance is a deliberate and active diplomatic strategy, deeply rooted in its anti-imperialist legacy and non-aligned principles. This research fills a significant gap in the literature by offering a robust conceptual framework to explain how a middle power in the Global South navigates geopolitical polarization while preserving its autonomy and promoting its national interests. Drawing on historical context, including Indonesia's long-standing ties with both Russia and Ukraine, and its actions during the 2022 G20 presidency, the study identifies five key features of Strategic Equidistance: balanced detachment, diplomatic dexterity, non-entanglement, proactive multiplicative engagement, and normative hedging. The findings demonstrate that Indonesia's approach is a conscious positioning within an evolving multipolar world, where countries are no longer passive observers but active agents of change. The article's contribution lies in its deconstruction of the "Global South" as a homogeneous entity and its rich case study of Indonesia, offering a model for how nations can assert agency in a post-hegemonic international order. This research is important for policymakers, academics, and observers of international relations who seek to understand middle-power dynamics and the development of a global multipolar system.

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