Indonesia eyes Russian crude supply as Prabowo meets Putin in Moscow

Indonesia is seeking to secure crude oil supplies from Russia as President Prabowo Subianto met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, with energy cooperation high on the agenda amid global supply uncertainties.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia accompanied Prabowo on the visit, underscoring the importance of energy diplomacy in strengthening Indonesia’s long-term energy security.

Talks between the two leaders at the Kremlin included efforts to ensure stable national energy supply, particularly crude oil availability, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said.

 “Continuing cooperation with the Russian government and ensuring stable national energy supply, including oil availability, are among the key topics,” Teddy said in a statement.

The meeting comes as geopolitical tensions and shifting global energy flows raise concerns over supply stability, prompting Indonesia to diversify its sources of crude imports.

Bahlil has previously indicated that Indonesia is exploring the possibility of importing crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Russia, provided pricing remains competitive.

Read also : Prabowo visits Russia to secure crude supply amid global uncertainty

 “We are open to importing crude from Russia and are also exploring gas,” Bahlil said in an earlier statement, adding that any deal must offer better value than existing supply options.

Beyond trade, discussions may also include investment cooperation. Indonesia is seeking to follow up on Russia’s involvement in the Grass Root Refinery (GRR) project in Tuban, East Java, where Russia’s PJSC Rosneft Oil Company is partnering with state energy firm Pertamina.

Officials said the visit also opens opportunities for broader collaboration, including technology transfer for enhancing production from mature oil fields, where Russia is seen as having advanced capabilities.

Prabowo’s visit is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Indonesia-Russia strategic ties, particularly in the energy sector, as Jakarta looks to balance domestic resource development with international partnerships.

The push comes as disruptions to global oil trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, have tightened supply in recent months. Some countries have already begun receiving Russian crude cargoes amid shifting trade dynamics and evolving sanctions policies.

Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, is seeking to ensure long-term energy resilience by securing diversified and reliable supply sources while advancing its domestic energy transition agenda.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak