MOSCOW, Aug 18 - Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting in Moscow on Tuesday with Myanmar’s leader, Min Aung Hlaing, covering a broad set of topics that included potential energy agreements, defence cooperation and collaboration in areas such as space exploration.
Putin described Min Aung Hlaing as a friend of Russia and said the two nations were working together across multiple sectors. In his remarks after the talks, Putin said Moscow was negotiating with Myanmar on the construction of an oil refinery, and on hydrocarbon production and exploration projects, including activity on Myanmar’s continental shelf. He also said there were promising prospects for Russian liquefied natural gas supplies to Myanmar, potentially with onward transit to other countries.
Russia is the first country outside Myanmar’s neighbouring states that Min Aung Hlaing has visited since he became president in April, a development underscoring the growing ties between the two governments amid pressure from Western countries.
Min Aung Hlaing, formerly the head of Myanmar’s military, is subject to a range of Western sanctions. Since securing a parliamentary vote to become president following an election dominated by an army-backed party in the absence of a viable opposition, he has pursued international recognition and engagement. Russia, like China, has been a supporter of Myanmar’s military leadership.
Moscow has expanded defence cooperation with Myanmar and has actively sought opportunities for Russian energy firms in the country. The two leaders have met on multiple occasions since Min Aung Hlaing assumed power. Their meeting in the Kremlin last year was noted for a diplomatic exchange in which Min Aung Hlaing presented six elephants as a gift, and for an agreement whereby Russia’s state nuclear power corporation would build a small-scale nuclear plant in Myanmar.
Myanmar has faced significant instability since 2021, when the military removed the government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, an action that precipitated a civil war and continuing turmoil. Min Aung Hlaing has visited Russia several times while serving as Myanmar’s leader, and this latest trip reinforces Moscow’s role as a partner for Myanmar amid international scrutiny.
Meeting highlights
- Talks covered prospective energy projects including an oil refinery, hydrocarbon exploration on the continental shelf, and LNG supply arrangements.
- Cooperation spans energy, defence and space exploration according to Russian statements.
- The visit was Min Aung Hlaing’s first outside neighbouring states since becoming president in April.