Prabowo Visits Moscow to Secure Cheap Oil Amid Global Energy Crisis

President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on April 13, 2026, to secure energy supplies and discuss economic resilience amid significant global geopolitical volatility.

The visit occurs as Indonesia faces a deepening global energy crisis. According to reporting from the South China Morning Post, millions of Indonesians are at risk of being pushed into poverty as global oil prices have surged. This price spike follows the launch of a war on Iran by the United States and Israel more than six weeks prior, which resulted in the near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Energy Security and Economic Resilience

A primary objective of the diplomatic mission was Indonesia’s need to stabilize domestic fuel pricing and supply. Due to supply disruptions linked to conflicts in the Middle East, President Prabowo sought alternative energy sources, specifically exploring the potential for imports of Russian oil.

During the bilateral talks, both leaders emphasized the expansion of cooperation across several key sectors, including trade, defense, and energy. President Prabowo described the discussions as very productive and progressing rapidly.

Beyond oil supplies, the two leaders committed to accelerating financial and monetary cooperation. President Prabowo stated that he would personally oversee the strengthening of these mechanisms, a move intended to facilitate smoother bilateral transactions and potentially reduce Indonesia’s dependence on traditional global financial systems.

A Pragmatic Foreign Policy Approach

The Moscow visit is part of a broader strategy to maintain balanced relations with major global powers. Indonesia adheres to a free and active foreign policy, which involves engaging with both Western and non-Western partners to navigate a multipolar world.

Jakarta’s efforts to strengthen ties with Russia, particularly as Russia is a member of BRICS, signal an intention to expand Indonesia’s strategic options. While President Prabowo was in Moscow, Indonesia simultaneously maintained diplomatic channels with the United States. Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin traveled to Washington to meet his U.S. Counterpart, Pete Hegseth, at a time when the U.S. Is reportedly seeking blanket overflight access for American military aircraft through Indonesian airspace.

Strategic Context and Urgency

This meeting was the second time President Prabowo has met President Putin in less than six months. Ahead of the closed-door talks, Prabowo highlighted the urgency of closer ties given the rapidly evolving global climate.

I have come to consult with you, as the global geopolitical situation is evolving and changing very rapidly.

President Prabowo Subianto

The discussions focused on consulting on how to navigate heightened geopolitical volatility and the need to bolster economic resilience against continued disruptions to global supply chains.

The move to secure cheap oil from Russia is viewed as a necessary step to protect the Indonesian economy from the volatility of the world oil crisis and the resulting pressure on domestic stability.