Indonesia, June 20 -- The Indonesian people have not forgotten Russia's support during the early years of the country's independence, a time when the nation was still poor and working to build its foundations.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto shared this sentiment during a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Konstantinovsky Palace in St. Petersburg on Thursday.

"When Indonesia had just gained independence and was still very poor, the Soviet Union - with Russia at its core - had already extended significant help to us. Until today, the Indonesian people have not forgotten Russia's support," Prabowo stated.

He recalled that the Soviet Union at that time extended crucial assistance to Indonesia in the ...