Bangkok: Myanmar's military-backed leader Min Aung Hlaing travelled to Russia on Monday for talks with President Vladimir Putin aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and strategic cooperation, state media reported.
Min Aung Hlaing departed from the capital Naypyitaw accompanied by members of his cabinet. During the visit, he is expected to meet Putin and other senior Russian officials to discuss bilateral relations as well as economic, security and social affairs, state-run MRTV television reported.
Russia, along with China, is a major supporter and arms supplier to Myanmar. Russian-made fighter jets have been used in attacks on territory controlled by ethnic minority groups, including groups allied with pro-democracy resistance forces.
Min Aung Hlaing previously met Putin on the sidelines of Moscow's World Atomic Week Forum in September. Putin has never visited Myanmar.
The visit is among Min Aung Hlaing's latest trips abroad, including visits to neighbouring China, India, Laos and Thailand, as he seeks to strengthen international recognition and restore Myanmar's diplomatic standing. Despite these visits, his government remains largely isolated internationally.
Min Aung Hlaing is also scheduled to attend a Myanmar-Russia Business Forum during the trip, MRTV reported.
Min Aung Hlaing was inaugurated as president in April following a general election that United Nations experts and rights groups judged to be neither free nor fair. Critics dismissed the polls, held in phases in December and January, as a sham designed to consolidate the military's grip on power while ostensibly restoring civilian rule.
Monday's trip marks Min Aung Hlaing's seventh visit to Russia since the military, which he led at the time, 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 military takeover and the violent repression of opposition, which has led to the deaths of thousands of civilians and fuelled a civil war.
Russia has defended Min Aung Hlaing's military government in international forums, while Myanmar's ruling generals have generally supported Moscow's foreign policy agenda.
The two countries have held joint military exercises, signed a pact on nuclear power development and agreed to cooperate on human spaceflight projects, including the selection and training of Myanmar's first cosmonaut.
