The point is, as a country we uphold an independent and active policy. Moreover, we are also a BRICS member,Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia will continue the process of importing Russian oil despite the expiration of U.S. sanctions relief for Russian oil sales on May 16, the country’s oil and gas chief said on Monday.
“The process is still ongoing. Yesterday, the Deputy Minister returned from there (Russia). So, the process is continuing,” said Laode Sulaeman, Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources office in Jakarta.
Sulaeman stated that Indonesia maintains its free and active foreign policy stance, and noted that the country is also a member of BRICS, the economic bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
“The point is, as a country we uphold an independent and active policy. Moreover, we are also a BRICS member,” he said.
Indonesia is seeking to maintain national energy supply security amid global geopolitical dynamics is by importing crude oil from Russia, which is expected to enter Indonesia soon.
This move is also part of the realization of Indonesia’s commitment to import 150 million barrels of oil from Russia, which will be carried out gradually until the end of 2026.
The government is currently prioritizing fuel availability to meet need from households and industry.
On April 14, the US Department of the Treasury announced that it would end sanctions exemptions related to Iranian oil. On April 17, the department issued a general license allowing the sale of Russian oil that had already been loaded onto ships as of April 17 until May 16.
As a result, the relaxation of sanctions on Russian oil sales officially ended on May 16, 2026.
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Translator: Putu Indah, Kuntum Khaira
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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