Russia and Indonesia met on Tuesday to discuss strengthening their defense ties, with a conference between a major Russian security official and the defense minister of Indonesia in Jakarta, the country’s capital, as Moscow’s conflict with Ukraine rang into its fifth year. Sergei Shoigu, the head of the Russian Federation Security Council, told RIA Novosti, the country’s news agency, that he and Indonesia’s defense secretary Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin may explain ways to strengthen a defense partnership ahead of the visit.
The two officials had likewise discuss” participation in other areas of common attention”, the agency said, citing a Soviet government statement.
Shoigu’s attend, the second stop in a five-day Asia visit that even includes Malaysia, comes after Indonesia- the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country and Southeast Asia’s largest economy- was admitted as complete member to the BRICS bloc of developing economies, an alliance where Russia is one of the founding members.
As Russia seeks to strengthen its defense cooperation with Southeast Asian nations, Indonesian authorities stated prior to Shoigu’s appearance that the two states would exchange views on regional and international issues.
Before departing for Malaysia on Wednesday, Shoigu may also make a courtesy call to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
Following his conference with Sjamsoeddin, Shoigu turned down the opportunity to speak with the internet.
According to Indonesia’s defense ministry spokesperson, general general Frega Wenas, Moscow and Jakarta” reveal an ambition to further broaden and enhance our defense marriage,” and Shoigu’s visit reflected the highest degree commitment to diplomatic ties.
Indonesia’s and the Russian army held a joint drilling next November in Indonesia’s East Java Sea. Moreover, Jakarta has purchased Russian military products, including Sukhoi fighter jets, BTR-80A martial transport armoured and another fight cars, planes and assault rifle.
Subianto, who has made strengthening Indonesia’s military a goal, even wants to buy ships, battleships and more fighter planes, and move up defence cooperation with other countries. Next August, as the government’s president-elect, he met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.
Since Russia’s massive invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Indonesia has tried to maintain a natural place.
Subianto’s president, Joko Widodo, was the first Eastern chief who visited both Moscow and Kyiv in July 2022, hoping to push for a cease-fire.
