Prabowo Heads to Moscow for Possible Oil Deal with Putin
Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto headed to Moscow on Sunday late at night to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for a possible oil deal.
Prabowo is on his third trip to Russia as an energy panic grips the world amid the Iran war. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya has said that both leaders would discuss strategic issues, and oil is no exception.
“[The leaders will talk about] energy security. [Indonesia] will continue to work with the Russian government and ensure a stable supply of energy in the country, including oil availability,” Teddy said.
The current geopolitics will also be another key topic, according to Teddy, alluding to the Iran war. He added: “Indonesia will express its strategic position in safeguarding global stability and peace.”
Prabowo is expected to land in Moscow on Monday morning local time with the Putin talks slated for the afternoon. Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has signaled Indonesia’s interest in buying Russian oil. Russia’s ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov told the press in late March that his country was open to such a deal. Moscow, however, will give the oil at a “commercial price” when asked whether it would give Jakarta discounts.
“If Indonesia needs [oil], please tell us, and you will have it. … It’s a commercial price. Most of the Russian oil companies are privately owned, so it’s just commercial relations,” Tolchenov said.
Prabowo’s last visit to Russia was in December 2025.
Russia is the world’s third-largest oil producer behind the US and Saudi Arabia.
About 25% of the global seaborne oil trade transits the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked in retaliation for the February strikes launched by the US and Israel. Jakarta has been trying to notch a Hormuz pass as two of its tankers can’t exit the narrow waterway. US President Donald Trump has recently ordered the US Navy to begin “blockading any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz", further tightening the ongoing energy crunch.
The global crude benchmark Brent has jumped to $102 per barrel following Trump’s latest Hormuz threat.
Read More: US Military Blockades Iranian Ports after Ceasefire Talks End
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