Russian Ambassador Reveals Three Obstacles to Importing Oil and Gas to Indonesia

JAKARTA - The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Indonesia, Sergei Gennadievich Tolchenov, stated that there are at least three key issues that must be addressed collaboratively if Indonesia is serious about importing oil and gas from Russia.

The first question is how to transport the oil to Indonesia. Sergei explained that currently, many Western shipping companies are reluctant to cooperate with Russia due to sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine.

“How do we get the oil to Indonesia? Because many Western companies, shipping firms, also refuse to work with Russia,” he said when met at the Radio Sonora office in Jakarta on Thursday (16/4/2026).

Sergei noted that to purchase the oil, Indonesia must transfer money to Russia. However, the problem is that Russia is not part of SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication).

Sergei suggested that a solution to this second issue might involve using a third country with a longer transfer route.

The final issue concerns pricing. Sergei said that many countries want Russian fuel at “friendship prices.”

“So we get more money than the normal price. But this is market economics; this is the current situation,” he remarked.

Regarding Russia’s readiness to sell oil to Indonesia, Sergei assured that his country has given the green light. Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly emphasised that Russian oil companies are prepared to serve countries wishing to buy their oil.

“If they are serious, if they want long-term contracts and to buy Russian oil, even for them (Western countries), we are ready to supply. That’s not a problem; we are a very responsible and sustainable resource supplier,” he stated.