Russian Oil Imports: Bahlil Asserts No One Should Intervene!
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has emphasised that the policy of importing crude oil from Russia is a government decision approved through a government-to-government (G2G) contract scheme. He asserted that these imports are for the benefit of the people and national sovereignty, and therefore should not be subject to any external intervention.
“I say once again, that the purchase of crude from Russia is part of a G2G contract which is then concluded with G2B,” he stated when met at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Jakarta on Friday (11/09/2026).
“Given the current global conditions, we are identifying priorities regarding which sources can supply our crude first. As long as it does not violate regulations and is economically viable. Imagine, while the rest of the world is struggling, we are being too selective. I prioritise the interests of the people over any other interests, especially since our national sovereignty must not be intervened by anyone. This is because we adhere to a free and active foreign policy principle,” he explained.
He also confirmed that the oil imports from Russia have already commenced.
“It has, it has already started moving,” he said.
As previously noted, the government has established that these Russian oil imports are conducted through the Public Service Agency (BLU) of the Center for Oil and Gas Testing (Lemigas), rather than being a corporate action by PT Pertamina (Persero). The provisions regarding Lemigas as a BLU authorised to conduct procurement, including the import of crude oil and fuel, are regulated under Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 26 of 2026.
Total Oil Imports from Russia
Special Envoy to the President for Energy and Environment, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, previously mentioned that Indonesia has secured 150 million barrels of crude oil from Russia at special prices. Hashim stated that this supply at preferential rates was the result of President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to meet President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on Monday (13/04/2006).
“Indonesia now has a commitment from the Russian government; 150 million barrels can be stored in Indonesia to face economic volatility issues,” Hashim said during the 2026 Economic Briefing at Menara Patra Jasa, Jakarta, on Thursday (23/04/2026).
Hashim explained that during the initial meeting with Putin, Russia had agreed to send 100 million barrels at a special price. However, Russia has since increased that amount by an additional 50 million barrels for Indonesia to help mitigate global instability.
“He (Prabowo Subianto) went to Moscow, met President Putin for three hours, and secured a commitment from President Putin that 100 million barrels of oil would be sent to Indonesia immediately at a special price. And if Indonesia requires more, an additional 50 million has been added,” Hashim noted.