Russia’s Putin hosts Myanmar leader, holds talks on energy projects
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Russian President Vladimir Putin described Myanmar president Min Aung Hlaing as a friend of Russia.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Russian President Putin met Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing to discuss cooperation on energy, defence, and space exploration projects.
- Russia is negotiating with Myanmar on building an oil refinery and exploring hydrocarbon resources, including LNG supply prospects.
- Min Aung Hlaing, under Western sanctions, seeks legitimacy with Russia's support amid Myanmar's ongoing civil conflict since the 2021 military coup.
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MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in Moscow on Aug 18 with Myanmar’s junta chief turned president, Min Aung Hlaing, discussing a wide range of issues, including prospective energy deals.
Russia is the first non-neighbouring country Min Aung Hlaing has visited since becoming Myanmar's president in April, a sign of the two countries’ deepening ties in the face of pressure from the West.
In remarks after the meeting, Putin described Min Aung Hlaing as a friend of Russia and said the two countries were cooperating across a range of sectors, including energy, defence and even space exploration.
Putin said Russia was in talks with Myanmar on the construction of an oil refinery as well as on hydrocarbon production and exploration, including on Myanmar’s continental shelf.
He also said there were good prospects for supplies of Russian liquefied natural gas to Myanmar, including for onward transit to other countries.
The former general Min Aung Hlaing is the target of a raft of Western sanctions and has been on a quest for international legitimacy since winning a vote in Parliament to become president, which came after an election dominated by an army-backed party in the absence of a viable opposition.
Like China, Russia backs Myanmar’s military. Moscow has expanded defence cooperation and sought opportunities for Russian energy companies in Myanmar.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since 2021, when its military ousted the administration of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering a civil war.
Min Aung Hlaing has visited Russia several times as Myanmar’s leader. He and Putin held talks in the Kremlin in 2025, an occasion marked by Min Aung Hlaing giving Russia six elephants and an agreement for Russia’s state nuclear power corporation to build a small-scale nuclear plant in Myanmar. REUTERS
