Putin Expects Significant Role from Indonesia in BRICS

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Russian President Vladimir Putin received Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Konstantinovsky Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday, June 19, 2025, as part of Prabowo's two-day state visit to Russia.

Putin expressed his respect for meeting Prabowo directly in St. Petersburg. He mentioned they had met in Moscow last year, but that meeting was held before Prabowo was inaugurated as president.

"Indonesia is a full member of BRICS, and I hope Indonesia will make a significant contribution to the activities of this organization," Putin said in a meeting broadcast on the YouTube channel of the Secretariat of the President of the Republic of Indonesia on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

Putin said Prabowo had the opportunity to participate in the 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) the following day. Putin said the forum was excellent because entrepreneurs and politicians attended.

Putin stated that Russia and Indonesia's relationship was very good and consistent. Both countries have cooperated in various fields, ranging from agriculture, space exploration to military cooperation.

"We have many opportunities for cooperation, and we still have many opportunities and capacity to grow," Putin said.

In response to Putin's remarks, Prabowo thanked Russia for supporting Indonesia's membership in BRICS, even in a short period. Last year, Prabowo mentioned that he wanted to meet with Putin directly and attend the Kazakhstan Summit. However, the summit was held one day after Prabowo's inauguration.

"At that time, I was inaugurated just one day before, and I had to inaugurate my cabinet," he said.

Although he had not met Putin directly after taking office, Prabowo revealed that the relationship between Indonesia and Russia continued to grow. He mentioned that several senior Russian officials had visited Indonesia, and vice versa.

"I have met with Deputy Prime Minister Manturov (Denis Manturov). I think I have met twice this year, in Jakarta and once in St. Petersburg. Our Foreign Minister (Sugiono) has been to Russia three times. So our relationship is constantly improving," Prabowo said.

Prabowo also mentioned that there had been much progress in bilateral relations between Indonesia and Russia, especially in the economic field. Both countries even participated in the Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement.

"So thank you, President Putin. There has been a lot of progress in this relationship, and thank you for inviting me as an honored guest to the St. Petersburg Forum," Prabowo said.

Prior to meeting Putin, Prabowo participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday, June 19, 2025. The wreath-laying ceremony symbolized respect for the millions of people who died during the Siege of Leningrad in World War II.

After the meeting with Putin, Prabowo was scheduled to speak at the 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on June 20. The forum was a gathering of global economic leaders and stakeholders.

Yesterday, Prabowo arrived at Pulkovo International Airport, St. Petersburg, around 5:50 PM local time. He was officially welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Head of the State Protocol of the Russian Federation Alexander Prusov, and Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono.

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