Russia’s Putin hosts Myanmar leader, talks up energy projects

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Myanmar's junta chief-turned-president, Min Aung Hlaing, in Moscow to discuss various matters, including potential energy projects. This marked the first time Min Aung Hlaing, who assumed the presidency of Myanmar in April, had visited a non-neighboring country since his appointment. The visit signals the strengthening ties between Russia and Myanmar despite facing pressure from the West.

During the meeting, Putin referred to Min Aung Hlaing as a friend of Russia and stated that the two nations were collaborating in a range of sectors, including energy, defense, and even space exploration. He disclosed that Russia was engaged in discussions with Myanmar regarding the construction of an oil refinery, as well as hydrocarbon production and exploration, including on Myanmar's continental shelf.

Putin added that there were promising prospects for Russian liquefied natural gas supplies to Myanmar, which could potentially be used for onward transit to other countries.

Min Aung Hlaing, a former general, is currently under a series of Western sanctions and has been striving for international legitimacy since assuming office following a parliamentary election dominated by an army-backed party, with limited opposition. Both Russia and China support Myanmar's military regime. Moscow has bolstered defense cooperation and sought opportunities for Russian energy companies in Myanmar.

Since 2021, Myanmar has experienced unrest following the military's overthrow of the administration of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, leading to a civil war. Min Aung Hlaing has visited Russia multiple times as Myanmar's leader. In a previous Kremlin meeting with Putin last year, Min Aung Hlaing gifted Russia six elephants and agreed to Russia's state nuclear power corporation building a small-scale nuclear plant in Myanmar.