Putin lauds rising Myanmar ties in talks with junta chief, welcomes ‘elephant diplomacy’

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday hailed the rising relationship with ally Myanmar throughout talks with its navy junta chief, and thanked him for gifting Moscow six elephants.

In line with a Reuters report, analysts have labeled this gesture, coinciding with Russia’s supply of six fighter jets to Myanmar, as a part of “elephant diplomacy” between the 2 international locations, that are considered unfavourably in Western capitals.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since 2021, when the navy overthrew the federal government of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, igniting a civil struggle.

“This yr we rejoice the twenty fifth anniversary of the signing of the declaration on the foundations of friendship between our international locations,” Reuters quoted Putin as saying to Myanmar’s Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing at a gathering within the Kremlin.

“Relations between our international locations are certainly creating steadily,” he added, noting bilateral commerce rose 40% final yr.

The 2 sides signed an settlement on development of a small-scale nuclear plant in Myanmar. Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear energy company, mentioned the plant would have a capability of 100 megawatts with the potential for trebling that capability.

Putin additionally introduced {that a} navy unit from Myanmar would participate within the navy parade in Moscow on Could 9 marking the eightieth anniversary of the World Struggle Two victory over Nazi Germany. He mentioned Min Aung Hlaing would additionally attend.

Like China, Russia backs Myanmar’s navy and is creating cooperation, together with between their air forces.

“And naturally, I can not however thanks to your very heat present: you introduced us six elephants final yr, they usually have already been given to the Moscow Zoo,” Putin mentioned.

Min Aung Hlaing, 68, who not often travels overseas, praised the standard of Russian navy {hardware} his nation receives and mentioned he supported Putin within the Ukraine struggle the place he believed Moscow would quickly be victorious.

Allies

The junta is battling inner battle, an financial system in tatters, widespread starvation and a 3rd of the nation’s 55 million folks in want of support, in response to the UN.

Russia was one of many first international locations to again the junta after the 2021 coup when it was being condemned around the globe for utilizing deadly pressure towards opponents.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin mentioned he noticed good prospects for increasing cooperation in areas together with agriculture, nuclear vitality, transport and infrastructure.

“Regardless of the illegitimate sanctions towards Russia and Myanmar, our commerce and financial cooperation is creating efficiently, and mutual commerce is rising,” Mishustin mentioned, in response to the Interfax information company.

Russian firms plan to put money into Myanmar’s particular financial zone in Dawei, Mishustin mentioned, with out naming corporations. The long-delayed Dawei challenge on the Andaman Sea is meant to be a significant hub for trade, expertise and transport.

Russia and Myanmar have lengthy been speaking about constructing a small nuclear energy plant in Myanmar.

The junta plans an election this yr, however critics deride that as a sham to maintain the generals in energy via proxies.

With inputs from companies