St. Petersburg, June 19 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke highly of Indonesia's strengths and potential, expressing confidence in the country's prospects of emerging as a prominent global economic power.

Putin conveyed this view during a discussion with President Director of ANTARA News Agency, Akhmad Munir, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday, ahead of his meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

"Indonesia is growing very rapidly. Very rapidly," he told Munir while highlighting the country's massive population of around 280 million.

According to Putin, Indonesia and several other developing nations are driving radical changes in the world through their rapidly growing populations and economies.

He affirmed th...