JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS– Indonesian Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto has expressed a keen interest in collaborating with Russia on nuclear energy. This was revealed during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow on Wednesday. 31 August 2024

The open meeting, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, saw Prabowo convey to President Putin that energy resilience would be a key focus of his administration following his official inauguration as President of Indonesia for the 2024-2029 term on October 20, 2024.

“I discussed the potential for cooperation in nuclear energy with relevant Russian institutions, particularly in the areas of modular reactors and main reactors,” Prabowo told Putin, as reported by various international news channels covering the Kremlin meeting.

Nuclear reactors are crucial components of nuclear power generation. Russia is one of the world’s leading countries in using nuclear power to meet its electricity needs.

President Putin did not provide an immediate response, as the two leaders are expected to continue their discussions in a closed-door meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 1, in a working-breakfast format. This session will delve deeper into various issues and explore potential areas of bilateral cooperation.

Indonesia currently operates three nuclear reactors, built primarily in the 1970s, which include the Kartini Reactor in Yogyakarta, the Triga 2000 Reactor in Bandung, and the G.A. Siwabessy Multipurpose Reactor in Serpong. These reactors are mainly used for educational and research purposes.

Beyond nuclear energy, Prabowo also expressed his interest in sending more Indonesian students to study in Russian universities, particularly in medical and engineering fields. He highlighted a current shortage of 160,000 doctors in Indonesia and his commitment to addressing this gap once he assumes the presidency.

“We aim to send our students to Russian universities, especially in medical and engineering fields, and I plan to allocate a specific budget for this scholarship program,” Prabowo stated to Putin.

He also reminisced about the significant number of Indonesian students who studied in Russia during the 1960s. Additionally, Prabowo emphasized the potential for enhanced cooperation in defense, defense industries, and tourism, noting the strong existing ties between the two nations and his intention to further strengthen these relations.

During the meeting at the Kremlin’s Green Hall, Prabowo was accompanied only by his aide, Major Inf. Teddy Indra Wijaya, while President Putin was joined by high-ranking officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, and Presidential Advisor on Foreign Affairs Yury Ushakov.

President Putin remarked on Prabowo’s longstanding friendship with Russia, acknowledging the strong relationship. “I know you have a good relationship with Russia,” Putin told Prabowo, according to Russian news agency TASS.

Prabowo expressed his gratitude for the warm reception at the Kremlin, despite the short notice. He noted that this was his fourth visit to Russia in four years and his first audience with President Putin at the Kremlin.

This meeting with Putin is part of Prabowo’s recent series of international visits, which included meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara. (Uki Ruknuddin)