Bahlil: Prabowo and Putin to Collaborate on Trade to Oil Refinery Development

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has disclosed that the meeting between President Prabowo and President Vladimir Putin discussed several bilateral cooperation initiatives oriented towards national interests. These include oil refinery development, strengthening oil trade, and increasing the utilisation of energy technology. “In the long term, Indonesia is also opening opportunities for collaboration in the clean energy sector. As an effort directed towards supporting energy diversification,” Bahlil stated in his remarks on Tuesday, 14 April 2026. He said that the global energy market volatility, which is still under pressure, is impacting energy supply stability in many countries, including Indonesia. Therefore, to maintain national energy supply resilience, the government is continuously taking several strategic steps. One of them is through exploring cooperation with Russia, as one of the world’s energy-producing countries. Bahlil also reaffirmed his commitment to guiding energy diplomacy to maintain domestic energy supply stability. Meanwhile, the main focus of Indonesia-Russia cooperation encompasses efforts to ensure energy supply and encourage investment in the energy sector. “This visit becomes an important momentum to ensure that the national energy supply remains secure and to strengthen national energy resilience,” Bahlil said. He emphasised that the government will continue to oversee the implementation of various cooperation opportunities that have been discussed so that they can be realised soon. Previously, President Prabowo had also emphasised Indonesia’s commitment to continuously strengthening strategic relations with Russia. Primarily in the energy sector, as part of efforts to maintain national economic stability in facing today’s global geopolitical turmoil. “Therefore, we feel it is very necessary to consult on how we face the future situation, and especially if possible, we continue to tighten cooperation, especially in the fields of economy and energy. Once again, thank you for receiving me in such a short time,” Prabowo said when meeting Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Palace, Moscow, Russia. Meanwhile, Putin affirmed that opportunities for cooperation between Russia and Indonesia always prioritise strategic sectors, especially in the energy sector. “The two countries cooperate very closely, interact very well in various international forums. Indonesia has become a member of BRICS, this opens new opportunities to develop our cooperation,” he said.