Russian President Vladimir Putin told Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto that Moscow was pleased with the developing military ties between the two countries and ready to help Jakarta in the field of nuclear energy.
It was the second time the pair have met this year in Russia, as Putin courts the leader of the world’s fourth most populous country – part of a strategy to build stronger ties with the Global South as his economy remains under Western sanctions because of the war in Ukraine.
Russia is building nuclear power plants in a number of countries, and Putin told Prabowo: “If you consider it possible to engage our specialists, we are always at your disposal.”
Indonesia has said that it wants to build its first nuclear power plant by 2032, with 500 MW capacity, aiming for it to come online in the next decade.
In agriculture, Putin said, Indonesia has a slight trade surplus with Russia. “We have no complaints; we are ready to seek ways to further develop relations in this sector,” he said.
Russia is seeking to diversify wheat exports to Asia from its traditional customers in the Middle East but is likely to face stiff competition from the United States, supplies from which are set to grow following trade deals with Asian countries.
Prabowo has maintained Indonesia’s non-aligned foreign policy, vowing to befriend any country, including Russia and the United States. He has said Indonesia will not be joining any military bloc.
Russia and Indonesia conducted their first joint naval exercises in the Java Sea in November 2024. Military ties “are developing and are at a level of good professional cooperation”, Putin said.
“Indonesian specialists are constantly training at our universities, including military academies.” — Reuters
