Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hailed “positive” ties with Myanmar as he met with the country’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in Russia’s far eastern city of Vladivostok.
Putin disclosed this during the meeting on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum where he described Myanmar as a long-standing and reliable partner in Southeast Asia.
Min Aung Hlaing’s visit comes as both governments face diplomatic isolation over Moscow for its February military intervention in pro-Western Ukraine, and Naypyidaw for a military coup last year.
Myanmar junta in a statement noted that the two leaders “friendly and openly” discussed cooperation and “exchanged views on relations and the international situation.
Since the putsch that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government in February last year, Myanmar has faced Western sanctions and a downgrade in relations.
As Moscow’s ties with the West unravel over Ukraine, the Kremlin is seeking to pivot the country towards the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.