Indonesia has assured Australia that no Russian military aircraft will be stationed at an airbase in its Papua province, dismissing recent reports as false, according to Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed on Wednesday that Indonesia has provided clear assurances denying any intention to host Russian military aircraft at an airbase in its easternmost province of Papua.
Marles said he spoke directly with his Indonesian counterpart, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, who rejected a recent report suggesting Russia had lodged a request to deploy long-range warplanes at Manuhua Air Force Base, located in Biak Numfor, roughly 1,300 kilometres from the Australian city of Darwin.
The matter gained political attention after Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton raised the issue during an election campaign, claiming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had been informed of the situation. Dutton’s remarks followed a report by the defence publication Janes, which alleged that Russia sought to station aircraft at the site.
Marles firmly dismissed both the report and Dutton’s claims, stating that Indonesia had made it “utterly clear” such reports were “completely false” and the country had “no intention” of hosting Russian aircraft. He also criticised Dutton for suggesting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had publicly confirmed Russia's request, calling it “completely wrong.”
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov met with President Prabowo in Jakarta to discuss trade relations, including progress on a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, said they hoped to finalise the agreement by the time of Prabowo’s expected visit to Russia for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, scheduled for 18–21 June.
Indonesia has denied reports that Russia requested to base military aircraft in Papua, dismissing claims that raised alarm in Australia. Officials reaffirm no such deal exists, as both Indonesia and Australia stress their close defence relationship.
Indonesian authorities have arrested three judges involved in the acquittal of major palm oil firms in a high-profile corruption case, deepening a growing scandal that has now implicated the chief judge of South Jakarta District Court and several legal officials.
Rebels in Indonesia’s Papua region have claimed responsibility for killing more than 17 individuals since the weekend, accusing them of being soldiers disguised as gold miners. The insurgents also stated that they are holding two hostages.
Indonesia seeks a fair and equal trade relationship with the U.S. after the imposition of a 32% tariff, aiming for diplomacy and negotiations instead of retaliation. The country is considering increasing imports of U.S. goods and offering tax cuts in response to the tariffs.
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The Trump administration is reviewing possible changes to a Biden-era rule that restricts global access to advanced AI chips, including potentially scrapping the current system that divides countries into three tiers, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
China has renewed its call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and demanded that Israel cease its military operations in Lebanon and Syria, warning of escalating instability across the Middle East.
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