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

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday hosted the head of Myanmar’s military-backed Government, who visited Russia on a trip to boost their cooperation.

Speaking at the start of the talks with President Min Aung Hlaing, Putin noted both countries have cooperated on foreign policy and security issues and developed economic projects.
They have held joint military drills and developed plans for Russia to build a nuclear power plant, a seaport, oil refineries and other facilities in Myanmar.

The visit is the latest in a series of trips by Min Aung Hlaing to foreign countries, including neighbouring China, India, Laos and Thailand as he seeks to strengthen international recognition and regain diplomatic standing with other countries. 

Despite the visits, Myanmar has remained largely isolated internationally since the military seized power from the elected Government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. Western nations have imposed economic and political sanctions in response to the takeover by the military, which he led, and its violent repression of the opposition, which has seen the deaths of thousands of civilians and given rise to a civil war.