Indonesian Defense Chief's Election Victory to Cement Relations With Russia, Office Says

© AP Photo / Agus SupartoIn this photo released by the Indonesian Presidential Palace, flag bearers hoist the national Red-White flag during a ceremony commemorating the country's 75th Independence Day at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 17. 2020.
In this photo released by the Indonesian Presidential Palace, flag bearers hoist the national Red-White flag during a ceremony commemorating the country's 75th Independence Day at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 17. 2020.  - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 20.02.2024
Subscribe
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who won the presidential election, will continue the line of the country's current leader, Joko Widodo, towards Russia, thus contributing to the development of bilateral relations, the youth department of the candidate's overseas headquarters told Sputnik.
The Indonesian presidential election lasted six hours and ended on February 14. Independent organizations confirmed that Subianto was leading by a wide margin. As of Monday, the Indonesian defense minister has received 58.4% of the vote, with over 70% of results from polling stations processed.
"I believe the victory of Prabowo Subianto and [Mayor of the city of Surakarta] Gibran Rakabuming Raka in the Indonesian presidential and vice-presidential elections will have a positive impact on relations between Russia and Indonesia," Arsyad Faiz, a spokesman for the department, said.
Half of world's population will go to the polls in 2024 - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 02.01.2024
Infographic
Elections in 2024: Which Countries Are Involved?
As confirmation of his words, Faiz recalled Subianto's visit to Moscow and his talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu in 2020, saying that the trip was designed to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two nations.
"Prabowo Subianto has also stated at various forums that Russia is Indonesia's important partner in the Eastern European region ... On the other hand, in an effort to resolve the international conflict in Ukraine, Prabowo Subianto is also ready to act as a mediator by sending peace proposals to both sides," Faiz added.
In June 2023, at an international forum in Singapore, Subianto presented his plan for conflict resolution in Ukraine, which provided for the creation of a demilitarized area, the deployment of UN forces and new referendums. Kiev categorically rejected the proposal, calling it "pro-Russian." The Russian Embassy in Indonesia, for its part, said it appreciated Jakarta's efforts despite Kiev's refusal to consider any options for a peaceful solution.
In 2020, Subianto attended a military parade on Moscow's Red Square to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the part of World War II fought by the Soviet Union from 1941-1945, at the invitation of Shoigu.
Newsfeed
0