Myanmar military chief Min Aung Hlaing visits Russia to deepen strategic partnership with Putin

Myanmar’s military-backed head of state, Min Aung Hlaing, left Naypyitaw on Monday with several cabinet ministers for an official trip to Russia. He will meet President Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking Russian officials to discuss expanding ties in security, economics and social sectors, and will attend a Myanmar-Russia Business Forum. Russia remains a key arms provider, with Russian-made jets employed in attacks on territories held by ethnic minority groups opposed to the junta.

Hlaing previously met Putin during Moscow’s World Atomic Week Forum and has made multiple trips to neighboring countries to seek diplomatic recognition. The visit marks his seventh journey to Russia since the military seized power in February 2021, despite ongoing Western sanctions and international isolation. Joint drills, a nuclear power development pact and cooperation on human spaceflight, including training Myanmar’s first cosmonaut, have been part of the growing partnership.