Myanmar junta chief to meet with Russian president in Moscow

Russian president Vladimir Putin is scheduled to host Myanmar junta leader Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in Russia’s capital on March 4 to discuss bilateral ties and international affairs, the presidential office said on Friday.The meeting comes as Russia expands its economic and strategic cooperation with Myanmar’s military regime, which has been under Western sanctions and faced domestic unrest since the 2021 coup. The leaders and other officials present are expected to conclude intergovernmental agreements and issue a joint statement following the talks.Russia has become a key economic and military partner for Myanmar’s junta, providing arms, energy investments, and diplomatic support. Last week, Russia and Myanmar signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Russian investments in Myanmar’s Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which includes development projects such as port construction, a coal-fired power plant, and an oil refinery.The Dawei SEZ, a long-delayed project in southern Myanmar near the Andaman Sea, was originally backed by Thailand and Japan but stalled because of funding shortages and political instability. The junta hopes Russia’s involvement will revive the project, despite ongoing clashes between military forces and local resistance groups in the area.During a recent visit to Myanmar, Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov met junta officials to discuss bilateral trade, banking, telecommunications, and education cooperation. Myanmar’s state media reported that nine economic agreements were signed, though details on the Dawei SEZ remain unclear.Russia has supported Myanmar’s military leadership on the global stage, blocking efforts at the United Nations to impose sanctions and expanding its arms sales to the junta. The Kremlin sees Myanmar as a strategic partner in its push to strengthen ties in Southeast Asia, countering Western efforts to isolate both countries.Putin and Min Aung Hlaing are expected to discuss further economic cooperation during their talks. Russia’s deepening involvement in Myanmar underscores Moscow’s broader geopolitical shift towards strengthening ties with governments under Western pressure while securing strategic footholds in distant regions.

Myanmar junta chief to meet with Russian president in Moscow

Russia’s deepening involvement in Myanmar, including expanded arms sales and investments in development projects, underscores Moscow’s broader strategy of strengthening ties with governments under Western pressure

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