The war in Ukraine seems far away in Asia, but the region now commonly referred to as the Indo-Pacific is feeling the effects of the crisis in Europe.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has addressed this point several times on his first major trip of his second term, which will take him to Singapore and Indonesia.

“Around 13 flight hours from Berlin, the issues that move people here are no different.

Here, too, there are concerns about the war in Europe, the suffering of the people from Ukraine, the breach of international law caused by Russia's attack on Ukraine and, of course, also about the economic consequences that the war has and will have in this region as well ' Steinmeier said in Singapore on Wednesday.

Till Fähnders

Political correspondent for Southeast Asia.

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How do the countries of Asia intend to face this challenge?

What conclusions do you draw from the sudden onset of war?

These questions were also addressed during the visit, which nevertheless also included a large number of appointments with companies and cultural institutions, as is so common on a trip by the Federal President.

In the Indo-Pacific, most governments have not condemned the Russian attack as clearly as Singapore.

Even Indonesia, where Steinmeier was due to arrive on Wednesday, approved a UN resolution condemning the invasion, but this year's G20 leader abstained from banning Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.

So far, Indonesia has not been persuaded to invite Russian President Putin to the G20 summit in the fall on the Indonesian island of Bali.

This question will also be the topic in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, where Steinmeier arrived on Wednesday.

“There will be ongoing discussions about the right format for the G20 summit.

And a lot depends on the course of the war, which should come as no surprise," said Steinmeier.

There is still no reason to push in any direction, "but the agreement to keep in touch," said the Federal President.

This is an assessment that Singapore also represents in a similar way.

Indonesia is an important discussion partner this year in many respects.

President Widodo will also travel to Elmau for the G7 summit.

Cultural exchange and controversial debates are sparked off by the Indonesian group Ruangrupa, which is curating this year's Documenta in Kassel.

In Asia there is growing concern that an open conflict could break out in the slipstream of the war in this region, which is not lacking in hot spots.

The focus is primarily on Taiwan.

At a security conference just days before Steinmeier's arrival in Singapore, Beijing's Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe had threatened war if Taiwan were to declare independence.

Despite all the concerns, from the point of view of political observers in Singapore and Germany, a war does not appear to be imminent in the short term.

In fact, some in city-state government circles believe that the global response to the Russian invasion has made the risk even less likely.

"Here you are just as unable to look inside the heads of the Chinese leadership as

Many countries in the region do not want to make a decision

Singapore, in particular, is working on maintaining a dialogue, said the Federal President.

"And to ensure that what Russia is doing towards Ukraine does not become an example." With Singapore and Indonesia, Steinmeier visited two countries where the similarities predominate.

After the meeting with Steinmeier, Singapore's acting Finance Minister and future Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke of a "common worldview" based on mutual respect and international law.

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan praised the open exchange of views on the world situation, particularly the Ukraine war.

Singapore and Germany shared "common strategic perspectives".

For a country like the small Southeast Asian city-state, which with a population of just five million depends on undisturbed trade, it would be fatal if China decided to follow the Russian example.

The Taiwan question could spark a confrontation between the world powers.

The region is already torn between its most important economic partner, China, and the USA, which acts as a security guarantor for many countries, not least Singapore.

You don't want to create blocks, you don't want to decide between two sides.

The wealthy city-state has also benefited from the existing order.

After a meeting with the Foreign Minister, Steinmeier visited the port of Singapore on Tuesday, which is considered the second largest in the world after Shanghai.

From a roof terrace, the Federal President looked at a container terminal that stretched almost to the horizon.

It was lifted, loaded, checked.

"Anyone who stood here at the port today knows why we have to be here," said Steinmeier.

The order of the day is "diversification of supply chains".

What is meant by this is to reduce dependence on China.

That played a role in all the talks, Steinmeier said on Wednesday.

“How do we deal with the consequences of the pandemic and war.

How do we manage to make our economies more resilient.

We reduce vulnerability.” The answers are the same as in Germany: “Here, too, everyone is trying to reduce one-sided dependencies,” said Steinmeier.