President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg later this week, as the two nations seek to strengthen bilateral relations, potentially advancing towards a strategic partnership. The engagement will coincide with Russia’s annual economic forum, where President Putin is expected to deliver a keynote address and host foreign dignitaries.
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Sugiono, who goes by a single name, confirmed the upcoming dialogue and underlined Jakarta’s intention to deepen cooperation with Moscow across key sectors including trade, investment, security, energy and tourism. Speaking alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, Sugiono noted the importance of formalising stronger ties between the two countries.
“There is chemistry between both of the leaders,” Sugiono remarked, adding that both sides should explore elevating the relationship to the level of a strategic partnership.
Lavrov, for his part, characterised the bilateral relationship as “trustworthy, friendly and constructive”, and welcomed the close diplomatic ties with Jakarta.
The talks come at a time of growing international engagement for Indonesia, which became a full member of the BRICS grouping earlier this year. The Southeast Asian nation has been increasingly vocal about diversifying its global partnerships and reducing over-reliance on traditional Western alliances.
Meanwhile, Indonesian authorities reiterated their position on regional security matters, having previously dismissed a 2023 report by defence publication Janes which suggested Russia had requested military aircraft basing rights in Papua, Indonesia’s easternmost province. The report had raised concern in neighbouring Australia, given Papua’s proximity—approximately 1,200 kilometres—to the northern Australian city of Darwin.
-Reuters
