Russia publishes memoirs by Indonesian president
The memoirs of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto have been published for the first time in Russian translation in advance of his visit to St. Petersburg for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The book’s release has been timed to coincide with the Russia-Indonesia summit this week during which a declaration on strategic partnership and several bilateral agreements are expected to be signed.
The two-volume book, titled ‘On the Art of Military Leadership’, was written during Prabowo’s tenure as Indonesia’s defense minister. The work combines personal reflections on military life, leadership, and national identity. According to the Russian editors, the book offers readers insight into the mindset of a key figure from “the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation,” and illustrates Indonesia’s growing global role.
In the first volume, Prabowo recounts his encounters with various military figures throughout his career, emphasizing traits he considers essential for leadership. The second volume explores the character and values of notable leaders across history.
Throughout the memoirs, Prabowo repeatedly refers to Indonesia’s struggle for independence and his own family’s role in it.
The Russian publishers expressed hope that the memoirs will be of interest not only to scholars of Southeast Asia, but to a broader readership interested in historical leadership and Indonesian society.
The publication has also been framed as a gesture of cultural diplomacy to support the summit, which marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between Russia and Indonesia.
The summit, which is organized by Roscongress, will take place on Thursday and Friday within the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which officially kicked off on Wednesday. It will focus on strengthening political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian ties between the two countries.
According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, the upcoming meeting between Putin and Prabowo is expected to conclude with a short signing ceremony and a joint statement to the media. A declaration on strategic partnership is also planned, along with at least four agreements covering shipbuilding, transportation, science and education, ICT, and media cooperation.
