Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday, June 22, held a working meeting with the Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces, Min Aung Hlaing, who is also the chairman of the State Administrative Council of the country.
At the beginning of the meeting, Shoigu greeted Hlaine in Burmese, calling him a dear friend, and also stressed that for Russia, Myanmar is a strategic partner and a reliable ally in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.
"We are determined to continue to make efforts to strengthen bilateral ties based on the mutual understanding, respect and trust that has developed between our countries. We are always, as before, open to a good mutual dialogue on a variety of issues, " Shoigu said.
In turn, Hline said that Russia's assistance has made the Myanmar army one of the strongest in the region, and also noted the personal contribution of the head of the Russian military department to the development of the country's armed forces.
"Thank you for this," he said, expressing gratitude to Shoigu for the opportunity to meet in person and for the invitation to participate in the Ninth Moscow Conference on International Security.
According to the commander-in-chief, this visit is a confirmation of the continuation of strong friendship between the two countries.
Since the beginning of February, protests in Myanmar have not subsided after the military coup, during which state power was transferred to the hands of General Hlaine. President Win Myint and State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi were detained. Citizens of the country took to the streets in support of the government elected in November, killing hundreds of people.
The Kremlin expressed concern in this regard. The press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov noted that in Moscow the situation is carefully monitored. In early April, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that attempts by a number of states to exert sanctions pressure on the current leadership of Myanmar are " extremely dangerous."
