Russia is the first non-neighbouring country Min Aung Hlaing has visited since becoming Myanmar’s president in April, a sign of the two countries’ ‌deepening ties in the face of pressure from the West.

In remarks after the meeting, Putin described Min Aung Hlaing as a friend of Russia and said the two countries were cooperating across a range of sectors, including energy, defence and even space exploration.

Putin said Russia was in talks ⁠with Myanmar on the construction of an oil refinery as well as on ‌hydrocarbon production and exploration, including on Myanmar’s continental shelf.

He also said there were good prospects for supplies of Russian liquefied natural gas ‌to Myanmar, including for onward transit to other countries.

The former general, ⁠Min Aung Hlaing, ⁠is the target of a raft of Western sanctions and has been on a quest ‌for international legitimacy since winning a vote in parliament to become president, which came after an election dominated ‌by an army-backed ‌party in the absence of a viable opposition.