1-8-2024 (JAKARTA) President-elect Prabowo Subianto has pledged to maintain and strengthen relations with Russia following a high-profile meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The encounter, which took place on Wednesday, marks a significant diplomatic gesture ahead of Prabowo’s inauguration as Indonesia’s next leader in October.
Prabowo, who currently serves as Indonesia’s Defence Minister, expressed warm sentiments towards Russia, characterising the nation as “a great friend” to Indonesia. “We aim to preserve and enhance this relationship,” he stated in an official release from the Indonesian Defence Ministry. “Throughout our history, we’ve been grateful for Russia’s consistent support during challenging times.”
The president-elect’s visit to Moscow follows a similar diplomatic mission to Beijing earlier this year, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. These strategic engagements reflect Prabowo’s stated commitment to a non-aligned foreign policy, balancing relationships with global powers including China and the United States.
During the Moscow talks, Prabowo outlined his administration’s aspirations for increased cooperation across multiple sectors. He emphasised the desire to bolster partnerships in defence and nuclear energy, as well as to expand educational opportunities for Indonesian students in Russia, particularly in the field of medicine.
The Russian side appeared equally enthusiastic about deepening bilateral ties. President Putin, as reported by Russian state news agency TASS, expressed readiness to increase agricultural exports to Indonesia and to pursue joint investment projects in energy, transport, and infrastructure.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighted Indonesia’s growing significance in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which Russia continues to refer to as a “special operation”. This statement comes in the wake of Prabowo’s previous efforts to propose a peaceful resolution to the conflict, including a ceasefire and demilitarised zone, during his address at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore last year.
Prabowo’s diplomatic overtures to both Russia and China, while maintaining Indonesia’s traditionally strong ties with Western nations, signal a continuation of the country’s long-standing foreign policy principle of “bebas-aktif” or “free and active”. This approach seeks to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape by fostering positive relations with all major powers while avoiding formal alliances.