St. Petersburg — Diplomacy is not solely defined by formal state visits or high-level meetings—it is also a channel for the exchange of ideas and cultural values. Marking a unique milestone during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to Russia, his book “Military Leadership” has been officially published in Russian by the Russian Academy of Sciences in Saint Petersburg.

The book, which explores Prabowo’s military philosophy and leadership principles, was described by Russian Academy of Sciences Deputy Director of Science Vladimir Sautov as a meaningful contribution to strategic and intellectual dialogue between the two nations.

“Mr. Prabowo has remarkable literary talent. He has written quite a number of insightful works,” said Sautov during the launch. “He entrusted us with translating this book into Russian, and we signed an agreement with Indonesian representatives to protect its intellectual property rights.”

The translation and editorial process involved figures with deep ties to Indonesia. The book was translated by a Russian diplomat fluent in Bahasa Indonesia and edited by a seasoned Russian editorial team. Prior to its public release, the manuscript was submitted for review by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to ensure its relevance for military and strategic circles.

“This memoir was written by Mr. Prabowo while serving as Indonesia’s Minister of Defense. The General Staff’s military academy was assigned to review it,” Sautov explained.

Several prominent individuals contributed to the publication project, including Alexander Anatolievich Ivanov, former Russian Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN, who played a role in adapting the manuscript for a Russian audience. Another key contributor was Ambassador Vladimir Morozov, a widely respected diplomat fluent in Indonesian who served in the country for 11 years.

“We assembled a team that approached this work informally yet with deep respect. And thankfully, we succeeded in timing the publication to coincide with President Prabowo’s visit to Russia,” Sautov added enthusiastically.

The publication of Military Leadership marks a significant step in the cultural and defense diplomacy between Indonesia and Russia. More than just a military text, the book stands as a symbol of shared values on leadership, national service, and the strengthening of strategic ties between two historically respectful partners.