Myanmar Military Regime Leader Visits Russia: Not Greeted By Putin, Will Buy Arms?

JAKARTA - The leader of the Myanmar military regime, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, flew to Russia on Sunday, June 20, to attend an international security conference held in Moscow from June 22 to 24.

Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev said, in an initial meeting with Min Aung Hlain on Monday, June 21 yesterday, the two countries agreed to strengthen security and relations between the two countries.

The MRTV report affiliated with the Myanmar military regime said Min Aung Hlaing and Patrushev discussed cooperation between the two countries on security measures, Myanmar's current affairs and agreed to maintain good relations between their two militaries.

Citing Reuters from Interfax June 22, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier on Monday said President Vladimir Putin would not meet Min Aung Hlaing.

Although officially the visit is aimed at attending the conference, Myanmar media, The Irrawaddy said the visit might be used by the Myanmar military to buy weapons in Russia, after last week the United Nations issued a call for an embargo on arms sales to Myanmar.

The presence of a well-known arms broker from the Land of a Thousand Pagodas who was reported to be in the entourage of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, as well as plans to attend an arms exhibition, called The Irrawaddy, strengthens the possibility of procuring weapons.

Joining senior generals on the trip will be Myanmar Navy Chief Admiral Moe Aung, who will attend the International Maritime Defense Exhibition (IMDS) to be held in St. Petersburg from June 23 to 27.

IMDS showcases products and services including naval and commercial shipbuilding, weapons, and armaments.

Joining the journey was the famous Myanmar tycoon U Tay Za. He and other members of the delegation discussed with Russian representatives about 20 megaprojects, including procurement of weapons and military hardware.

U Tay Za supplies aircraft parts to the military through his company Myanmar Avia Export. The company is Myanmar's sole representative for the Russian Export Military Industries Group, known as MAPO, and the Russian helicopter company Rostvertol.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news covering the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.