Russia-Myanmar talks

President of Russia Vladimir Putin with President of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing
Photo: Kremlin.ru

President of Russia Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin with President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing, who arrived in Russia on an official visit, Kremlin informs.

The Kremlin, Moscow, August 18, 2026

Beginning of Russia-Myanmar talks

President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Mr President, friends, good afternoon. We are delighted to see you in Moscow again.

Before we begin our discussion, I would like to convey my sincere condolences regarding the tens of thousands of local residents affected by intense monsoon floods in your country.

Relations between Russia and Myanmar were established as early as 1948. Since then, they have been steadily advancing, becoming especially trusting in recent years

We are grateful for your assistance in promoting Russia’s relations with ASEAN. We are actively cooperating on the international stage.

Certainly, we also need to focus on the economic front. There is good groundwork in place and a number of promising projects. Our cooperation in the security sphere is also developing.

You have a long and busy programme prepared for your visit to Russia, and I am sure you will have an opportunity to discuss all these issues.

Mr President, we are very pleased to see you. Welcome!

President of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing (retranslated):

Thank you, Mr President,

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for the warm welcome extended to our delegation. I have visited Russia many times, but this is my first official visit as President of Myanmar.

We have been actively developing relations between our two countries, not only on the international stage but also in other areas. As you mentioned, our country has experienced severe flooding. The floods have not yet subsided, and I would also like to thank you for your condolences.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Russia for its support. Last year, devastating earthquakes struck our country, resulting in numerous casualties. Russia promptly dispatched rescue teams, and many of our people were rescued. I still remember this. Therefore, I would like to once again express my gratitude to Russia for its support.

Today, relations between our two countries are developing rapidly. During this meeting, we will be able to discuss all possible agreements aimed at expanding our bilateral relations.

Thanks to Russia’s support and your personal support, we have achieved many positive results in our relations on the international stage. I would like to note, however, that much work remains to be done to achieve our goals and ensure the long-term development of our countries. Russia has always supported our country and continues to do so, and I would like to express my gratitude for that. Looking back at the history of our relations, our two countries have always enjoyed good relations, and I am confident that they will remain strong in the future.

Mr President, I would also like to emphasise that Myanmar is a reliable partner of Russia in Southeast Asia. Myanmar always stands ready.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

Press statements by President of Russia and President of Myanmar.
Photo: Kremlin.ru

President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing made statements for the press following their talks in the Kremlin.

A ceremony to exchange Russia-Myanmar documents signed during the official visit of the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Russian Federation took place in the presence of both leaders.

The Declaration of the Russian Federation and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on Ways and Means to Counter, Mitigate and Redress the Adverse Impacts of Unilateral Coercive Measures was signed. The signed documents include, in particular, interagency memoranda of understanding and cooperation in the electric power industry and the oil-and-gas sector, the electronics industry, digital technologies, information and communication technologies, culture and the arts, satellite navigation and manned space exploration, as well as in the field of the Cospas-Sarsat search and rescue system and the automated warning system for hazardous situations in near-Earth space (ASPOS). Furthermore, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service of the Russian Federation and the Competition Commission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, along with protocols on the implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation between RC-Investments Fund of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Electricity and Energy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar of April 16, 2026 (regarding long-term supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG)).

Press statements by President of Russia and President of Myanmar

President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Mr Min Aung Hlaing, ladies and gentlemen, friends,

We are very pleased to extend a warm welcome to our dear friend, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing, on his official visit.

Russia and Myanmar are bound by truly strong, time‑tested ties of friendship, partnership, and mutual support. Our shared history encompasses a wealth of experience in multifaceted cooperation, founded upon the principles of equality, mutual benefit, respect for and consideration of each other’s interests.

In the 1950s and 1960s, our country did a great deal to support the nation-building of Myanmar. Russia also contributed to its economic and social development, and to the strengthening of its defence capabilities. Large-scale infrastructure projects, medical and educational facilities constructed with the involvement of Soviet specialists continue to operate successfully to this day, bringing tangible benefits to the people of Myanmar.

Most importantly, Russia-Myanmar relations continue to strengthen steadily and are being enriched with new, specific substance. The intergovernmental commission is functioning effectively; regular dialogue takes place through the foreign ministries and security councils; interparliamentary and interparty contacts are deepening; and a number of major joint projects are currently being worked out and implemented. All these matters have been discussed in detail today. We have also exchanged views on current regional and international issues.

As you have seen, a substantial package of intergovernmental and commercial agreements has been adopted.

We prioritise economic ties. Reliable financial settlement mechanisms have been established, with two-thirds of commercial transactions now conducted in Russian rubles.

Energy is an important area of cooperation between our two countries. Joint construction of a power plant and an oil refinery in southern Myanmar is under consideration. Russian companies are also ready to participate in hydrocarbon exploration and production, including offshore.

There are good prospects for exporting liquefied natural gas to Myanmar, both for domestic consumption and for transit to neighbouring countries. Last year, an intergovernmental agreement was signed on the construction of a Russian-designed nuclear power plant in Myanmar. This is truly a flagship bilateral project.

I would also like to highlight a number of promising joint projects in industry, transport, and logistics. An ironworks and an organic fertiliser production facility are currently under construction in Myanmar. Plans are also being discussed to build a deep-water seaport on the country’s southern coast capable of handling large-capacity vessels.

Partnerships in high-tech sectors are also developing. Russian companies are ready to introduce their unique cutting-edge digitalisation, cybersecurity, and data storage technologies in Myanmar. Cooperation is also being developed under the Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes and Manned Spaceflight, signed in 2025.

The two countries have traditionally maintained strong humanitarian ties. Scientific, academic, youth, tourism, and sports exchanges are expanding, facilitated in no small measure by the visa-free regime between our countries.

A Myanmar consulate general will soon open in Vladivostok. Myanmar cultural and religious centres are already operating in the Altai Territory, the Kaluga, and Moscow regions. During our face-to-face meeting, Mr President informed me that an agreement had been reached to build a Russian Orthodox church in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon.

We certainly welcome the growing interest of Myanmar citizens in learning Russian. The language is currently taught at the prestigious universities of Yangon and Mandalay, as well as at the Defence Services Academy. The possibility of Myanmar schools and universities joining the Russian Teacher Abroad programme is also being explored. At present, approximately 400 Myanmar students are studying at Russian universities. In total, over 7,000 Myanmar citizens have received their education in our country.

During our exchange of views on foreign policy issues, it was confirmed that the positions of Russia and Myanmar either coincide or are very close. We firmly uphold the principles of the rule of international law, sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs.

Our countries have established close military and military-technical cooperation. Bilateral naval exercises are regularly held off the coast of Myanmar, and Russian Navy ships also make port calls there.

In conclusion, I would like to once again thank President Min Aung Hlaing and our Myanmar colleagues for the fruitful joint work.

The President of Myanmar has an extensive programme planned for his visit to Russia. In addition to his discussions with the Prime Minister of Russia and the State Duma Speaker, a number of other meetings are scheduled at our respective agencies. Furthermore, President Min Aung Hlaing will also visit the Republic of Tuva, a centre of Russian Buddhism.

I am confident that this rich programme will undoubtedly be a success, and that the results achieved, agreements reached, and documents signed will contribute to the continued expansion of Russia-Myanmar cooperation.

Mr President, thank you again for your visit.

President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing (retranslated):

Mr Putin and all the esteemed guests attending today’s event, allow me to begin by extending my heartfelt greetings to all of you.

I am here on an official visit at the invitation of the President of the Russian Federation. Our two countries established diplomatic relations as far back as 78 years ago when our country achieved its independence. This is when other countries, including Russia, began to establish diplomatic ties with us.

Our countries have preserved mutual respect and understanding in their relations to this day. And throughout all these years, there has been steady progress in our relations.

The meeting between our two national leaders will serve as an impetus for development and further enhance the relations between our countries.

Today’s meeting will help us not only to forge closer ties but also to promote economic cooperation. During the meeting, we signed agreements to enhance the relations between our two countries in a comprehensive manner.

During today’s meeting, we had a constructive discussion on working together in the defence sector, tourism, on security matters, in agriculture, healthcare and several other sectors. We now have a parliament in our country. Therefore, we intend to step up our ties not only at the government level, but also in an interparliamentary framework.

The visa-free regime has been in force since January, offering us new opportunities for promoting tourism and encouraging people-to-people ties.

During this visit, we signed 12 contracts and there are plans to sign more deals in the future. Russia and Myanmar consistently supported each other on the international stage and in regional matters. Moving forward, we intend to expand these relations and continue supporting each other.

Mr President, colleagues.

Myanmar is strategically located close to major markets. It is also rich in resources, has a wonderful climate and a coastline stretching for more than 1,300 miles. Therefore, we invite investors from Russia to invest in our country.

Mr President, I would like to ask for your assistance in attracting investors to our country. Tomorrow, the Myanmar-Russia Business Forum will take place.

Mr President, colleagues,

In conclusion, I would like to say that Myanmar, for its part, is ready to expand our relations and forge closer personal ties with President Vladimir Putin.

Thank you very much.

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