Indonesia will strive to draw closer to Russia

Significance The exercise began less than two weeks after Indonesia was invited to become a partner to the BRICS group, of which Russia is a founding member. Prabowo Subianto was inaugurated Indonesian president just days before the BRICS summit at which this invitation was extended. Impacts Prabowo will be Indonesia’s key foreign policy decision maker. ASEAN will appear less important to Indonesia as Prabowo seeks a larger global role for the country. Indonesia may procure arms from Russia despite the threat of US sanctions.