The diplomatic and economic relations between Indonesia and Russia and Ukraine is thriving until now. Russia’s invasion to Ukraine on February 24, 2022, has worsened the bilateral ties between both countries. However, it does not affect the diplomatic ties of the two countries with Indonesia.
The Indonesia-Russia relation was established 77 years ago, during the Indonesian independence. One of the landmark of both countries good relation was the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) sports complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta. Then Soviet Union provided US$ 12.5 million soft loan to Indonesia in 1960 to build a sports complex to host the 1962 Asian Games.
Meanwhile, the Indonesia-Ukraine relationship started after the recognition of Ukraine in 1991, 2 days after the Soviet Union dissolved.
Trade and economy
The trade and economic cooperation between Indonesia and Russia and Ukraine has been well maintained.
According to UN Comtrade Database, the export value from Ukraine to Indonesia reached US$ 539 million in 2017. The figure rose to US$ 1,040.8 million in 2021. Meanwhile, the export value from Indonesia was US$ 296.6 million in 2017 and increased to US$ 416.9 million in 2021. However, the Russia-Ukraine war has stopped trade between Ukraine and Indonesia.
Russia’s trade and economic cooperation with Indonesia tends to be stable. In 2017, the value of Indonesia’s export to Russia reached US$ 1.53 billion in 2017 and slightly decreased to US$ 1.49 billion in 2021. The largest commodities included animal fats and oils, rubber and machinery. On the other hand, Russia’s export to Indonesia reached US$ 1.22 billion in 2017 and increased to US$ 1.25 billion in 2021. In 2021, Indonesia and Russia made an agreement to remove the trade barriers between the two countries.
Culture and Humanities
Indonesia has also worked with the two countries on cultural exchange.
The cooperation between Ukraine and Indonesia is focused on education, culture and tourism:
- 2020: a cooperation between Zhytomyr National Agroecological University and Bogor Agricultural University (IPB)
- 2019-2020 academic year: 12 Ukrainians studied at Indonesian universities while 31 Indonesians studied in Ukraine
- 2015-2018: six memoranda of understanding were concluded between Ukrainian and Indonesian universities
In cultural sector
- 2019: a delegation of Kyiv paid a visit to Jakarta at the invitation of Jakarta Governor to establish sister cities of Kyiv and Jakarta
- 2020: the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation and the Ukrainian Center for Cultural Studies, the NGO ALEM held an online webinar on “Cross-Culture”
The Russia and Indonesia Cultural exchange
- Culture & Music Concert for the 77th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence at Moscow’s Hermitage Park
- Cultural Cooperation Program between the Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation and Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture for the period of 2016-2018
