Breaking: Australia Engages Indonesia Over Russian Military Request Amid Growing Defense Ties
Australia has reached out to Indonesia at senior levels regarding reports of Russian military requests, according to recent statements from Australian officials. This development comes amid strengthening defense relations between Australia and Indonesia, highlighted by last year's unprecedented defense cooperation agreement.
"We have a very close relationship with Indonesia... We have a growing defence relationship with Indonesia. We have already been engaged with Indonesia on this request," stated an Defense Minister Richard Marles
The Australian government has confirmed it's actively working to verify these reports concerning Russia's overtures to Indonesia. Officials emphasized that Indonesia has not yet responded to Russia's request, though the nature of this request remains undisclosed in official statements.
"We are already engaging with Indonesia at a senior level and will continue to do so about the request," the Australian official clarified, underscoring the diplomatic approach being taken.
Australia continues to maintain its firm stance against Russia's actions in Ukraine, characterizing it as "an illegal and immoral war." The government has implemented numerous sanctions against Russia while providing both military and humanitarian support to Ukraine. This positioning adds significance to Australia's current diplomatic engagement with Indonesia regarding Russia's request.
"Russia is engaging in an illegal and a moral war against Ukraine and you would know that the Australian government has imposed a great many sanctions on Russia and continues to provide both military and humanitarian support," Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated, reinforcing Australia's position.
The deepening Australia-Indonesia defense relationship represents a strategic priority for Australia in the Indo-Pacific region, with last year's defense cooperation agreement described as "the deepest level defence agreement we've ever had with Indonesia."
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