JakartaGlobe-Apr 13, 2026
President Prabowo Subianto headed to Moscow on Sunday late at night to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for a possible oil deal. Prabowo is on his third trip to Russia as an energy panic grips the world amid the Iran war. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said both leaders would discuss strategic issues, and oil is no exception. “[The leaders will talk about] energy security. [Indonesia] will continue to work with the Russian government and ensure a stable supply of energy in the country, including oil availability,” Teddy said. The current geopolitics will also be another key topic, according to Teddy, alluding to the Iran war. He added: “Indonesia will express its strategic position in safeguarding global stability and peace.” Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has signaled Indonesia’s interest in buying Russian oil. Russia’s ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov told the press in late March that his country was open to such a deal. Moscow, however, will give the oil at a “commercial price” when asked whether it would give Jakarta discounts. Russia is the world’s third-largest oil producer behind the US and Saudi Arabia. About 25% of the global seaborne oil trade transits the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked in retaliation for the February strikes launched by the US and Israel. Jakarta has been trying to notch a Hormuz pass as two of its tankers can’t exit the narrow waterway. US President Donald Trump has recently ordered the US Navy to begin “blockading any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz”, further tightening the ongoing energy crunch. Read more at: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/prabowo-heads-to-moscow-for-possible-oil-deal-with-putin#goog_rewarded
