Indonesia moves toward Russian oil imports, signaling shift in Asia's energy posture

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Indonesia is preparing to begin importing Russian crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas, according to the republic's energy minister, a move that has drawn fresh attention to the widening gap between Western sanctions on Moscow and energy security strategies in Asia.

The announcement came after Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited Moscow and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on April 13, where the two leaders discussed a range of economic and energy topics. The visits and subsequent statements from officials in both capitals have set the stage for what could be a significant expansion of Russian–Indonesian energy trade, even as the European Union moves to tighten sanctions against Moscow.

Coverage comparison

Most of the reporting on this development has come from TASS, the Russian state news agency, which has published multiple articles detailing the expected oil and gas deliveries, the Kremlin talks, and the broader context of bilateral cooperation. The South China Morning Post (SCMP) also reported on the story, providing the only non-Russian source among the available coverage, and it highlighted the European dimension of the trade.

The two outlets frame the story somewhat differently. SCMP's report focuses on Indonesia's willingness to move ahead with importing 150 million barrels of Russian oil despite new EU sanctions on an Indonesian port, depicting Jakarta's decision as a sign of growing divergence between the West's efforts to isolate Moscow and Asia's own energy priorities. TASS's coverage, meanwhile, presents the agreement as a strategic partnership and a natural extension of long-standing ties between the two countries, with the state-run agency noting the expected rise in trade turnover and the countries' shared interest in expanding energy cooperation.

Key claims

• Indonesia and Russia have reached an agreement on the supply of Russian oil and liquefied petroleum gas, according to Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, as reported by the Indonesian news portal Tempo and quoted by TASS. The details of the agreement and the volume of the planned supplies have not been independently confirmed by sources outside the two countries' governments.
• Reports that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will begin receiving Russian oil this month are based on the energy minister's statements to Tempo, as carried by TASS. The timeline has not been independently verified.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin received Prabowo Subianto in the Kremlin on April 13, a fact reported by multiple sources, including TASS and SCMP. During the meeting, Putin noted that trade turnover between the two countries is expected to increase by 12.5% in 2025, according to TASS.
• The agreement includes a commitment from Moscow for a shipment of 150 million barrels of Russian crude, according to Hashim Djojohadikusumo, the special envoy of the Indonesian president for energy and the environment, as reported by SCMP. This claim has not been corroborated by Russian state media reports in the available coverage.
• Russia is ready to consider Indonesia's possible request for oil supplies, the Russian Embassy in Jakarta told TASS. This readiness was expressed by President Putin during a meeting with the oil and gas industry in early March, according to the embassy.
• Joint investments in the construction of oil refineries and storage facilities are being discussed, according to Lahadania, who said further negotiations are needed before a deal is concluded. No formal agreement has been announced.
• Indonesian Ambassador to Jakarta Sergey Tolchenov has said that bilateral cooperation with Russia could help Indonesia strengthen its energy and food security amid global economic tensions, as reported by TASS. He also acknowledged that Western sanctions against Russia hinder the development of bilateral relations, though he stressed that trade between the two countries does not violate international law.

Perspectives

Indonesian perspective

Indonesian officials emphasize the agreement as a way to diversify energy sources and stabilize supplies. Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said the aim is to strengthen the country's crude oil reserves and ensure national energy security. The president's special envoy for energy described the commitment from Moscow as a mechanism to buffer against economic turmoil, suggesting Jakarta sees Russian supply as a strategic fallback in an unstable global market.

Russian perspective

Russian officials and media highlight the strategic nature of the partnership with Jakarta, framing the energy deal as one element of a broader economic relationship. Kremlin statements, as conveyed by TASS, focus on the 12.5% expected growth in trade and the constructive talks between the two presidents. The Russian ambassador's comments stress that bilateral cooperation can contribute to Indonesia's energy and food security, while at the same time acknowledging that Western sanctions impede fuller development of the ties.

Western/European perspective

South China Morning Post's report places the Indonesian imports within the context of EU sanctions, particularly the recent designation of an Indonesian oil terminal, the Karimun Oil Terminal, for its links to the 'shadow fleet'. The report emphasizes that the move underscores a 'divide' between Western efforts to isolate Russia and Asian states' drive for energy security, presenting the sanctions and the oil agreement as occurring on the same day and highlighting the potential for friction between Indonesia and Europe.