Russia and Indonesia are looking to expand their cooperation after talks between President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the 11th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. Putin invited Prabowo as the forum’s main guest of honour. It was their sixth meeting.
Putin described Indonesia as one of Russia’s key partners in Southeast Asia. He said bilateral trade grew by more than 12% last year. The two countries already trade in areas such as agriculture and energy.
Bilateral trade was worth around $5 billion in 2025, according to Prabowo. That was a 21.7% rise from the previous year. He also described Indonesia as Russia’s “gateway” to Southeast Asia.
The two sides are now looking to build on that growth through the Indonesia-Eurasian Economic Union free trade agreement. Signed in St. Petersburg in December 2025, the agreement is expected to create more opportunities for trade between the two markets. Prabowo has proposed doubling the current trade volume during its first review period.
The Indonesian president said the two economies have complementary strengths. Indonesia can supply products such as palm oil and coffee while giving Russia access to the ASEAN market of roughly 680 million people. Russia can provide wheat and fertilisers, along with energy and engineering technology.
Prabowo travelled to Vladivostok with a senior Indonesian delegation. It included Coordinating Economy Minister Airlangga Hartarto, Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani and Foreign Minister Sugiono.
The visit was Prabowo’s fourth trip to Russia since taking office and his second in 2026. He had earlier attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum as a guest of honour.
