Russian Ambassador Refutes Claims of Military Base Plans in Indonesia

Jakarta: The Russian government has firmly denied recent allegations suggesting that it intends to establish a military base in Indonesia. Speaking during a media briefing in Jakarta, Russia's Ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei Tolchenov, underscored that Moscow’s partnership with Jakarta is built on the bedrock of mutual respect for national sovereignty and non-interference.

"There are absolutely no plans to build a Russian military base in Indonesia, nor have we ever submitted any such request," Ambassador Tolchenov stated unequivocally, Monday, April 28, 2025.

He further condemned the rumors, attributing their spread to political maneuvering in Australia, where upcoming elections have intensified internal political tensions. According to Tolchenov, these unfounded narratives are aimed more at influencing Australia's domestic electorate than reflecting any genuine development in Russian-Indonesian relations.

"This issue is rooted in Australia's internal political struggles rather than any reality concerning our cooperation with Indonesia," he asserted.

Tolchenov emphasized that the partnership between Russia and Indonesia remains firmly civilian in nature, with joint efforts concentrated on advancing economic growth, cultural exchange, educational collaboration, and technological innovation. He dismissed any speculation about militarization as entirely inconsistent with the spirit of current bilateral relations.

The Ambassador's remarks aim to reaffirm Russia’s commitment to peaceful engagement in Southeast Asia amid growing geopolitical anxieties in the region.

(Muhammad Reyhansyah)