Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing heads to Russia to deepen strategic ties with Moscow

The head of Myanmar’s military-backed government embarked on an official visit to Russia to hold talks with President Vladimir PutinBANGKOK -- The head of Myanmar’s military-backed government embarked on an official visit to Russia to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and strategic cooperation, state media said.President Min Aung Hlaing departed from the capital Naypyitaw on Monday morning accompanied by members of his cabinet. They will meet with Putin and other top Russian officials and discuss bilateral ties and economic, security and social affairs, state-run MRTV television reported.Russia, along with China, is a major supporter and arms supplier to Myanmar. Russian-made fighter jets are used in attacks on territory under the control of ethnic minority groups, including many allied with pro-democracy resistance forces.Min Aung Hlaing previously met with Putin on the sidelines of Moscow’s World Atomic Week Forum in September. Putin has never visited Myanmar.The visit is among Min Aung Hlaing’s latest in a series of trips to foreign countries, including neighboring China, India, Laos and Thailand as he seeks to strengthen internationa...