Russia and Myanmar signed an agreement on Tuesday on construction of a small-scale nuclear plant in Myanmar after talks in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.

epa11940214 Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Myanmar's military leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing (L) shake hands after a signing ceremony following their meeting at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, 04 March 2025. Min Aung Hlaing is on an official visit to Russia. EPA-EFE/PAVEL BEDNYAKOV /AP POOL / POOL POOL PHOTO

Russia's President Vladimir Putin hailed expanding ties with ally Myanmar at talks with its military junta chief on Tuesday and thanked him for gifting Moscow six elephants.

A visit to Russia by General Min Aung Hlaing aimed to enhance Moscow’s influence in Southeast Asia underscored the junta’s need for diplomatic recognition.

State-run media in Myanmar say the head of the military government has declared the country will hold a general election within 10 months.

Myanmar's leader and military chief Min Aung Hlaing was greeted in Moscow on Tuesday by one of President Vladimir Putin's top security officials. Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russia's Security Council,

Myanmar, aiming to reduce its reliance on China, has formed a comprehensive economic agreement with Russia, including the construction of a small nuclear power plant. The collaboration was announced during junta chief Min Aung Hlaings visit to Moscow,

On 4 March 2025, during the state visit of Myanmar's leadership to Russia, the two countries signed an intergovernmental agreement outlining the key principles of cooperation in the construction of a land-based small modular nuclear power plant (SMR) in Myanmar.