President Prabowo Returns to Jakarta After Key Economic Forum in Russia

President Returns After Vladivostok Visit

President Prabowo Subianto arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta around 3 a.m. local time on Friday, completing his official visit to Vladivostok, Russia, where he attended the 11th Eastern Economic Forum as the main guest of honor.

State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, Indonesian National Armed Forces Commander General Agus Subiyanto, and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo welcomed the president upon his arrival. The Presidential Secretariat broadcast the homecoming on YouTube, showing Prabowo and senior officials descending from the aircraft.

The president traveled to Russia at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in the four-day forum held from September 1 to 4, 2026, at Far Eastern Federal University on Russky Island. The event, themed "The Far East: Development for the Benefit of People," drew more than 5,000 participants from over 70 countries and territories, underscoring its significance as a major platform for regional economic cooperation.

The forum, held annually since 2015 except for a pandemic-related cancellation in 2020, has proven instrumental in driving economic development in Russia's Far East. Since its inception, the platform has facilitated nearly 3,000 investment projects worth approximately $162 billion, creating over 180,000 jobs in the region.

High-Level Engagements and Bilateral Meeting

During his visit, Prabowo engaged in several high-level meetings, including bilateral discussions with Putin, who described Indonesia as one of Russia's key partners in the Asia-Pacific region. The meeting comes amid strengthening economic ties between the two nations, with bilateral trade growing by 17 percent during the first nine months of 2025, according to Putin.

Indonesia and Russia have maintained diplomatic relations since February 3, 1950, and both countries participate in several multilateral frameworks including APEC, G-20, and BRICS.

Call for Trade Agreement Ratification

In his address to the forum, Prabowo emphasized Indonesia's vision for cooperation with Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union, comprising Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. The union represents a market of approximately 180 million people.

"The Pacific does not separate us. The Pacific connects us. The Pacific is not a wall between us. The Pacific is a highway for both of our economies," Prabowo stated, highlighting the importance of enhanced connectivity across the Pacific region.

The president's remarks carried particular weight given the recent Indonesia-EAEU free trade agreement signed on December 21, 2025. The comprehensive deal covers over 90 percent of traded goods through the elimination or reduction of duties on 11,882 tariff lines. Indonesia completed its parliamentary approval process, and Prabowo signed the presidential regulation ratifying the agreement in July 2026. The FTA is scheduled to enter into force in early 2027, pending completion of ratification procedures by all EAEU member states.

Broader Foreign Policy Context

The visit to Vladivostok reflects Prabowo's active foreign policy approach since taking office in October 2024. The president has emphasized Indonesia's "free and active" doctrine through diversified partnerships with major powers including China, Russia, and the United States.

Prabowo was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, Investment and Downstreaming Minister Rosan Roeslani, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.

The diplomatic mission focused on strengthening economic, trade, investment, and connectivity cooperation between Indonesia and Russia, building on the momentum of growing bilateral relations and the newly signed trade framework.