The Flow of Sympathy to Ukraine through Art’: Indonesian Media Framing of Ukrainian Heritage amid the Russian War Against Ukraine

This article analyses Indonesian media framing of Ukrainian cultural heritage amid Russia’s 2022 invasion, contributing to a broader transnational comparative research project exploring Global South perceptions of European Union (EU)-Ukraine relations and the EU as a cultural diplomacy actor. Through content analysis of sixty-one articles from three major Indonesian outlets (Antara, Kompas, and Tempo) spanning February 2022 to July 2024, this study reveals how cultural heritage narratives offer alternative pathways for foreign affairs engagement beyond traditional geopolitical frameworks. The research shows that Indonesian media predominantly frames Ukrainian heritage through positive, sympathetic lenses rather than reducing the conflict to the US-Russia binary. This cultural framing positions Ukraine as compatible with Indonesia’s own values of heritage and non-aligned policy principles. However, despite the EU’s significant role in protecting Ukrainian cultural sites, European involvement receives minimal coverage. Indonesian media prefers to highlight individual Member State initiatives rather than coordinated EU institutional efforts. This represents a missed opportunity for EU cultural diplomacy in the country. The findings contribute new insights into how cultural heritage communication can reshape foreign affairs perceptions in Global South contexts. The study offers strategic recommendations for enhancing EU diplomatic engagement that resonate with Indonesian cultural values and bilateral partnership preferences.