Russia has accused Australian political leaders of “playing the so-called ‘Russian card'” in a written warning following concerns over a potential military base in Indonesia.
US intelligence website Janes last week reported that Moscow had officially requested to base aircraft at Manuhua Air Force Base at Biak Numfor in the Indonesian province of Papua, about 1300 kilometres north of Darwin.
Indonesian officials have since dismissed the prospect of the base, but have failed to confirm whether the request had been made.
In response to concerned media reports, Russian ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov said military cooperation between the two countries was an “integral part of intergovernmental relations” and questioned why Australia was worried.
“It is hard to imagine that any ordinary Australians should be concerned about what is happening 1300 kilometres from their territory, about matters that concern relations between other sovereign states and have nothing to do with Australia,” he said in a letter to the Jakarta Post published on X overnight.
“Such cooperation is aimed at strengthening the defensive capabilities of both sides, is not aimed against any third countries and poses no threat to security in the Asia-Pacific region,” he added.
“Canberra’s national interests cannot extend to the territory of neighbouring sovereign states that pursue active and independent policies.”
Tolchenov then pointed the finger back at Australia and its “particularly alarming” military activities, including the AUKUS security pact, before accusing Australian leaders of playing the “so-called ‘Russian card'”.
“It is clear that the leaders of the two main political parties, replacing each other in power and calling it democracy, are now trying to outdo each other, heating up the situation,” he said.
“They stop at nothing, and the time has come to play the so-called ‘Russian card’.
“This means to show the overseas mentors who is more anti-Russian and Russophobe.”
Tolchenov added: “You have no cards.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed concerns about Russia’s attempt to have a presence in the region.
“Russia wants propaganda to be promoted by Australians. Of course, they want propaganda and Russia engages in that,” he said at a press conference this morning.
Russia has also failed to confirm whether it requested to base an aircraft in Indonesia but fuelled further speculation when Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto last week and Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council Sergei Shoigu met with Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in February.
Australia reaffirms relationship with Indonesia
Australia’s and Indonesia’s security cooperation is underpinned by the 2006 Lombok Treaty and was further strengthened by the Defence Cooperation Agreement signed last year.
Australia conducts about 20 military exercises with Indonesia a year and describes the relationship as “one of Australia’s most important bilateral relationships”.
Last week, Australian officials did the rounds to reaffirm our relationship with Indonesia and knock back the prospect of a Russian base.
Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed he had spoken to his Indonesian counterpart about the matter.
“He has said to me in the clearest possible terms, reports of the prospect of Russian aircraft operating from Indonesia are simply not true,” he said in a statement.
Indonesian Defence Ministry spokesperson Frega Wenas also told Reuters that “the report is incorrect”.
Albanese added that our relationship with one of our closest neighbours has “never been stronger” after seeking clarification from Indonesia.
“Indonesia is a sovereign nation. So we continue to put our argument about our own case and our own relationship with Indonesia,” he told reporters last week.
“Indonesia and Russia have historically had relations that are different from Australia’s.”
