The leader of Myanmar's military junta, Min Aung Hlaing, was told by Russia on Tuesday that Moscow saw opportunity to expand cooperation in several areas, including agriculture and nuclear energy.
"Despite the illegitimate sanctions against Russia and Myanmar, our trade and economic cooperation is developing successfully, and mutual trade is growing," said Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
Mishustin said: "there are good opportunities to increase our cooperation in the energy sector, peaceful nuclear energy, transport infrastructure, and agriculture," as reported by the news agency Interfax.
According to Mishustin, who did not name specific organizations, Russian businesses intend to invest in Myanmar's special economic zone in Dawei. The goal of the long-delayed Dawei project in the Andaman Sea is to create a significant transportation, industrial, and technological hub, reports Reuters.
One of President Vladimir Putin's top security officials, Sergei Shoigu, had earlier welcomed Hlaing, 68, who rarely goes overseas. The Kremlin announced that documents would be signed with Myanmar, and he was scheduled to meet with Putin.
"We have been aggressively working to improve our ties with Myanmar. This is one of our most significant East Asian partners," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated.
Since the military overthrew the government of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and NLD party leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, the 55 million-person nation has been in an unstable state. Critics have called the junta's election plans this year a charade intended to maintain the generals' grasp on power through proxies.
Russia supports Myanmar's military alongside China and has said that it is fostering new collaboration, especially between their air forces.
Following Myanmar's 1948 independence from Britain, the Soviet Union developed diplomatic ties with the country. The construction of a small nuclear power station in Myanmar including a RITM-200 pressurized water reactor has long been a topic of discussion between Russia and Myanmar.