Putin Holds Talks In Moscow With Indonesia's President-Elect

Russian President Vladimir Putin met on July 31 with Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto in Moscow for talks on expanding relations between the two countries. Despite heavy sanctions against Russia, trade between the two countries has doubled, Putin said. A free trade agreement between Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union led by Russia, which is ready to be signed, gives hope for further growth, he said. Prabowo welcomed Russian state airline Aeroflot's planned direct flights to the holiday island of Bali. He also said his meetings in Moscow covered Jakarta's interest in cooperation with the Russian nuclear company Rosatom. The former Indonesian defense minister was elected president in February and is due to take office in October.