Indonesia Strengthens Energy Security Through Russian Oil Imports

Indonesia is set to begin importing crude oil from Russia as early as April 2026, marking a key step in its strategy to strengthen energy security amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia announced the plan following directives from President Prabowo Subianto after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where both sides agreed to deepen energy cooperation.

“This is part of the president’s directive to follow up on the meeting between the two leaders. We have agreed to receive support, including purchasing crude oil from Russia,” Bahlil said at the Energy Ministry office in Jakarta on Friday, April 17, 2026.

The move highlights Indonesia’s push to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on a single supplier, as global geopolitical tensions continue to threaten supply stability.

By expanding its sourcing options, the government aims to ensure more stable crude supply flows to meet rising domestic demand.

Bahlil signaled that implementation is imminent, with shipments expected to commence this month.

“For crude oil, We see likely to start running in the coming months, as early as this month, God willing,” he said.

The government remains cautious over potential disruptions to global energy supply chains, including past incidents affecting Saudi facilities operated by Saudi Aramco amid geopolitical conflicts, which have had ripple effects on global distribution.

Despite these risks, Bahlil assured that Indonesia’s domestic energy supply remains secure, particularly for fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

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