Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto held a five-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, focusing on enhancing strategic cooperation in energy, mineral resources, and industrial development. The discussions aimed to strengthen ties amid Indonesia’s broader efforts to secure stable energy supplies and maintain economic resilience.

Prabowo, who recently expressed concern over having to seek multiple sources for oil amid the ongoing global energy crisis, described the visit as a pivotal step in restructuring Indonesia’s energy partnerships with Russia. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahalli Jahaala emphasized the talks sought to secure concrete cooperation aligned with Indonesia’s national interests, particularly to ensure reliable energy supply and stimulate investment in the sector. However, the meeting did not produce any specific agreements regarding volumes, pricing, or delivery schedules.

Indonesia relies heavily on imported fuel, with about 20 to 25 percent of its crude oil sourced from the Middle East. The government continues to subsidize fuel prices domestically to mitigate the impact on consumers. Experts note Indonesia has been cautious about importing oil from Russia due to potential sanctions risks. Radityo Dharmaputra, a specialist on Russia at Airlangga University, noted that while Indonesia has explored Russian oil imports previously, concerns over technical viability—including transportation and refining challenges—and geopolitical sanctions have limited progress. He suggested Indonesia’s current energy needs may compel it to move forward despite these risks.

Concurrently, in Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the elevation of U.S.-Indonesia defence relations to a Major Defence Cooperation Partnership following talks with Indonesia’s Defence Minister. According to a joint statement and Hegseth’s social media post, the enhanced partnership will focus on military modernization, capacity building, professional military education, and joint training exercises. The move signals growing U.S. interest in strengthening ties with Indonesia amid shifting regional security dynamics.

Together, the developments highlight Indonesia’s dual approach to bolstering its strategic position through expanded cooperation with both Russia in energy and the United States in defence, balancing economic needs with geopolitical considerations.