Government Considers Oil Imports from Russia

JAKARTA — The Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the government is opening the possibility of importing oil from various countries outside the Middle East and United States, including Russia.

According to him, the government does not restrict the country of origin for imports as long as supplies are available and the offered prices are competitive.

This measure is intended to ensure the stability of the nation’s energy supply.

“All countries are possible. What is important for us now is how goods are available, and secondly that prices are competitive,” said Bahlil at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry in Jakarta on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

“Why not? America itself has now opened up to Russia,” said Bahlil.

Previously, Deputy Energy Minister Yuliot Tanjung stated that the government was opening the possibility of shifting oil import sources from the Middle East to Russia if there were indeed a relaxation of global sanctions against the country.

However, the decision regarding these imports lies entirely with PT Pertamina (Persero), the state-owned oil and gas company, taking into account business profitability factors.

“That is a business decision that will be made by Pertamina. So whichever is more needed, as long as there is a relaxation, we will certainly take advantage of that process,” said Yuliot at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry in Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026.

The shift in imports to Russia represents a response to the ongoing tensions between the United States and Israel with Iran in the Middle East, which has affected the disruption of global oil supplies.

Nevertheless, Yuliot emphasised that to date, the government has not conducted any special studies or technical coordination regarding the option of importing oil from Russia.

“There has been none,” he said.