Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing heads to Russia for official visit, state media reports
NAYPYIDAW: Myanmar junta chief-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing left for Russia on Monday for his first official visit to the country since he assumed the presidency in April, according to state media.
Myanmar's junta chief and now president, Min Aung Hlaing, embarked on his first official visit to Russia on Monday, according to state-run media. This marks the fifth country Hlaing has visited since ascending to the presidency in April, following trips to India, China, Laos, and Thailand earlier this month. The former general has faced numerous Western sanctions since assuming office after winning a parliament vote, following a military-backed election with limited opposition.
Hlaing has made four previous visits to Russia as junta chief, the first in June 2021 for a security conference, followed by two visits in 2022 and another in March 2025 during formal talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia aims to foster energy cooperation in Myanmar, signing an agreement for a small-scale nuclear power plant construction and a memorandum for investment in the Dawei Special Economic Zone, which includes a port and oil refinery.
Hlaing's new trip includes a Myanmar-Russia business forum, with regional chief minister Tanintharyi, head of Myanmar's aerospace agency, and other attendees set to attend. Defense relations have strengthened between the two nations, with Russia providing military training, scholarships, and potentially even assisting in training Myanmar's first cosmonaut.
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