Russia to boost military ties with Myanmar

MOSCOW – Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told visiting junta leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing that Moscow is committed to strengthening military ties with Myanmar, Russia’s RIA news agency reported.

“We are determined to continue our efforts to strengthen bilateral ties based on the mutual understanding, respect and trust that have been established between our countries,” RIA quoted Shoigu as saying at a meeting late on Tuesday.

Min Aung Hlaing came here to attend a security conference this week.

Rights activists have accused Moscow of legitimizing Myanmar’s military junta, which came to power in a Feb. 1 coup, by continuing bilateral visits and arms deals.

Defense ties between the two countries have grown in recent years with Moscow providing army training and university scholarships to thousands of soldiers, as well as selling arms to a military blacklisted by several Western countries.(