Putin hosts Myanmar's leader at Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday hosted Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing at the Kremlin, the ex-junta chief's first visit to Moscow since taking office as civilian president.

Russia was one of the few countries that backed Myanmar after the 2021 military coup that ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering a civil war estimated to have killed more than 100,000 people.

Min Aung Hlaing was installed as Myanmar's president in April following stage-managed elections dismissed as a sham by Western nations and democracy watchdogs.

"Currently, the relations between our countries are developing swiftly," Min Aung Hlaing said, addressing Putin through an interpreter in a gilded Kremlin hall.

"Thanks to Russia's and your personal support we've achieved many results on the international stage," he said.

"Myanmar is a reliable partner for Russia in southeast Asia."

Putin said the two countries were "actively cooperating on the international stage" and that "work needs to be done on the economic front".

He added that security ties were "developing".

"Your visit has a very full programme, so I'm sure there'll be a chance to discuss all these questions," Putin said.

At an earlier meeting with the Myanmar leader, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Moscow was "moving forward with implementing the agreements on the construction of a small-capacity nuclear power plant in Myanmar".

Russia's energy ministry, for its part, said a memorandum of understanding was signed aimed at boosting cooperation between the two countries in the areas of electricity and the oil and gas industry.

Its statement, which gave no further details, was published on the Russian state messenging platform Max.

Myanmar and Russia signed a five-year military cooperation pact in February, although few details were released.

The Myanmar military uses Russian-made jets against rebel factions and has been accused by UN investigators and rights groups of targeting civilians, in attacks some conflict monitors say amount to war crimes.

It was Min Aung Hlaing's sixth official visit to Moscow since the 2021 coup.