Tue Feb 25 15:53:23 UTC 2025: **Russia and Indonesia Strengthen Defense Ties Amid Ukraine War**
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu visited Jakarta on February 25, 2025, to bolster defense cooperation with Indonesia. The meeting with Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, followed by a courtesy call on President Prabowo Subianto, marks the first leg of a five-day Asian tour for Shoigu. Both nations expressed a desire to deepen their defense partnership, a relationship underscored by joint naval exercises last November and Indonesia’s previous purchases of Russian military equipment, including Sukhoi fighter jets and armored vehicles. Indonesia’s pursuit of further military acquisitions, including submarines and frigates, fuels this growing collaboration. While Indonesia has maintained a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine, this visit signifies a deepening of ties with Russia, a founding member of the BRICS bloc which Indonesia recently joined.
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