Putin hosts Myanmar’s leader for talks on deepening their relationship

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted the leader of Myanmar's military-backed government, President Min Aung Hlaing, on Tuesday. The visit aimed to deepen cooperation between the two nations. Speaking at the beginning of their talks, Putin highlighted the existing areas of collaboration, such as foreign policy and security issues, as well as economic projects.

These include joint military drills and plans for Russia to build infrastructure in Myanmar, including a nuclear power plant, seaport, oil refineries, and other facilities. This visit is the seventh time Min Aung Hlaing has traveled to Russia, with his previous meeting with Putin occurring during Moscow's World Atomic Week Forum in September.

Russia, along with China, serves as a significant supporter and arms supplier to Myanmar. The visit comes amid ongoing international isolation for Myanmar since a military coup in February 2021, which ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Sanctions from Western nations have been imposed in response to the military takeover and its violent suppression of opposition, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths and a civil war.

Russia has backed the military government in international forums while the generals in Myanmar have generally aligned with Moscow's foreign policy objectives.