Jakarta, April 16, 2026 – The Europe Today: Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina will adhere to government directives regarding potential plans to purchase oil from Russia, a senior official confirmed.
Vice President of Corporate Communication Muhammad Baron stated that discussions on importing Russian crude oil are currently being handled at the government level. “At present, the plan is still at the government level,” Baron said, adding that Pertamina, as a state enterprise, will proceed in accordance with national regulations and policies.
He emphasized that Pertamina remains open to various cooperation opportunities aimed at ensuring the resilience and sustainability of Indonesia’s energy supply. However, any potential engagement will be guided by prudence, regulatory compliance, and careful commercial and operational considerations.
Baron further noted that the compatibility of Russian crude oil with existing refinery infrastructure is under review. He expressed optimism that ongoing refinery modernization efforts would enhance flexibility, enabling the processing of a wider range of crude types in the future.
Meanwhile, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that recent discussions between President Prabowo Subianto and President Vladimir Putin focused on concrete energy cooperation aligned with Indonesia’s national interests.
According to the minister, key areas of cooperation include oil refinery development, expansion of oil trade, and increased use of advanced technologies. He also highlighted long-term opportunities for collaboration in clean energy to support Indonesia’s energy diversification strategy.
Amid ongoing volatility in global energy markets, which continues to affect supply stability worldwide, Indonesia has been pursuing strategic measures to safeguard its energy security. Exploring cooperation with Russia—one of the world’s leading energy producers—is seen as a significant step toward ensuring long-term supply resilience and stability.
