Prabowo Subianto Pledges Continued Ties with 'Great Friend' Russia

Indonesia's President-elect Prabowo Subianto, after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, asserted his intention to maintain and enhance Indonesia's relationship with Russia. Prabowo, who is set to succeed Joko Widodo in October, emphasizes cooperation in defence, energy, and education. Additionally, Prabowo expressed a non-alignment foreign policy, seeking partnerships with multiple nations.

Indonesia's President-elect Prabowo Subianto, slated to take office in October, reiterated his commitment to maintaining strong ties with Russia after his meeting with President Vladimir Putin. The meeting emphasized cooperation in critical sectors such as defence, energy, and education.

Prabowo, currently serving as Indonesia's defence minister, highlighted historical support from Russia, underscoring the nation's continued significance as a partner. He expressed intentions to enhance defensive collaborations and explore opportunities in nuclear energy, as well as educational exchanges for Indonesian students.

During his address, Prabowo also reiterated his non-alignment foreign policy, aiming to build amicable relations with countries like China and the United States. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted Indonesia's growing influence in the Ukraine war, reflecting Prabowo's previous calls for a peaceful resolution at the Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore.

(With inputs from agencies.)