Jakarta. Indonesia’s economic relations with Russia and Belarus took center stage at the inaugural Jakarta Globe Insight forum on Tuesday, where diplomats and trade experts discussed new cooperation opportunities against a backdrop of geopolitical instability and shifting global trade dynamics.

The event featured Russian Ambassador Sergei Gennadievich Tolchenov, Belarusian Ambassador Raman Ramanouski, and former Indonesian ambassador to the World Trade Organization Iman Pambagyo.

Tolchenov said ties between Moscow and Jakarta had strengthened significantly since Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to establish a strategic partnership during talks in St. Petersburg last year.

He said the agreement extends beyond political and security cooperation to include practical economic measures, citing a recently signed energy supply deal between the two countries.

Tolchenov also argued that current geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have contributed to higher global oil prices, demonstrate how regional conflicts can disrupt the wider global economy.

“In the modern world, no country can ensure energy and food security on its own. Bilateral ties between Indonesia and the Russian Federation can contribute to Indonesia’s energy and food security,” he told host Anthony Wonsono.

Belarus also sees room to deepen engagement with Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Ambassador Ramanouski said Minsk aims to expand cooperation with Indonesia in agriculture, fertilizer supply, and industrial equipment.

He said Belarus could contribute to Indonesia’s food security efforts by supplying fertilizers for palm oil and rice cultivation, as well as agricultural machinery such as tractors.

Ramanouski added that in an increasingly uncertain international environment, countries should broaden partnerships and strengthen trade relations with trusted partners.

The discussion also addressed the wider state of global commerce. Former WTO envoy Iman Pambagyo said the multilateral trading system remains operational, but faces mounting pressure as major powers increasingly bypass established rules and institutions.

“The WTO is still largely intact, with the Secretariat functioning and members’ commitments still legally binding. But major powers are increasingly bypassing discipline,” he said.

According to Iman, the global trading system is not collapsing, but “is being politically outgrown by its own members.”

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