Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing Heads To Russia For Talks With Putin

Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing left Naypyitaw for Russia on Monday for talks with President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials, as the military backed government seeks closer ties with Moscow and greater international support.

Putin is expected to meet Min Aung Hlaing at the Kremlin on Tuesday. Talks are likely to cover political, economic and security cooperation, as well as regional and international issues. Several agreements are also expected to be signed.

Min Aung Hlaing travelled with members of his cabinet and is due to attend a Myanmar Russia Business Forum. State media said economic, security and social issues will be discussed during the visit.

The trip is part of Min Aung Hlaing’s wider effort to build ties abroad. He has also visited China, India, Laos and Thailand since becoming president in April. His latest Russia trip is his seventh since the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.

Russia, along with China, has remained one of Myanmar’s main supporters and arms suppliers. Russian fighter jets have been used by Myanmar’s military in attacks on areas held by ethnic armed groups and resistance forces during the ongoing civil war.

Moscow has also backed Myanmar’s military government at international forums. In return, Myanmar’s generals have generally supported Russia’s foreign policy positions.

The two countries have held joint military drills and expanded cooperation beyond defence. They have signed a nuclear power development pact and agreed to work together on human spaceflight, including the selection and training of Myanmar’s first cosmonaut.

Russia and Myanmar also signed a five year military cooperation agreement earlier this year. Energy and investment are other key areas, including plans for a small nuclear power plant and projects linked to the Dawei Special Economic Zone.

Min Aung Hlaing previously met Putin on the sidelines of Moscow’s World Atomic Week Forum in September. Putin, however, has never visited Myanmar.

The visit comes as Min Aung Hlaing’s government remains largely isolated in the West. Western countries imposed sanctions after the 2021 coup and the military crackdown that followed, which has killed thousands and pushed the country deeper into civil war.

Min Aung Hlaing became president in April after elections held in December and January. UN experts and rights groups said the polls were neither free nor fair, while critics accused the military of using the vote to maintain its grip on power while presenting a return to civilian rule.