Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, is in Russia for his second meeting with President Vladimir Putin, according to an announcement by the Kremlin, and as reported by BBC Burmese.

The Russian presidential office said the discussions will focus on bilateral economic cooperation and international issues of mutual interest. This marks Min Aung Hlaing’s first foreign trip since an Argentine court issued an arrest warrant against him over allegations of genocide against the Rohingya population. Analysts expect the visit to include talks on Russian investment in Myanmar’s Dawei Special Economic Zone, located in the country’s southern region, as well as discussions on continued military hardware supplies.

However, the 2025 visit holds broader significance than past meetings. Since seizing power in a 2021 coup, the Myanmar military leader has made multiple trips to Russia, with this visit marking his fourth post-coup journey and the 11th since becoming the country’s top military official. The Kremlin confirmed that Min Aung Hlaing’s visit will span from March 3 to March 10. Although the junta chief has traveled to Russia on several occasions, he only secured his first direct meeting with President Putin on September 7, 2022. That meeting was not a formal state invitation but took place on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum, where Putin hosted the Myanmar leader. During the talks, Min Aung Hlaing praised Putin’s leadership, stating that Russia had "risen to the top" under his guidance and describing him as "one of the world’s most influential leaders."

The visit will also be the first time Putin has formally invited the Myanmar military chief for direct talks, which will also include meetings with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the speaker of the State Duma, and other high-ranking officials, according to Myanmar’s military press release. Unlike previous visits, this trip comes as Myanmar’s military faces its most challenging period since the coup, with anti-junta resistance forces seizing control of approximately 21% of the country’s territory, including two major regional military headquarters, over 100 towns, and multiple battalions and bases.

A source close to the military leadership said the junta chief aims to secure Russian backing for the regime’s planned elections and to send a message to the United States. “If the US won’t support the military’s election process, at the very least, it should not oppose it. Min Aung Hlaing wants Putin to relay that message,” the source said. However, it remains unclear how Moscow will respond to Myanmar’s diplomatic overtures, the source added. Author and geopolitical analyst Maung Kaung Yeik noted that US policymakers, particularly President Donald Trump, have not prioritised Myanmar. “Trump doesn’t have much interest in Myanmar, but under his ‘Russia reset’ policy, Myanmar may gain some strategic consideration,” he said.

The visit is expected to advance discussions on Russian arms supplies and technological cooperation. Additionally, economic collaboration will be on the agenda, particularly in energy and infrastructure projects. In February 2025, Myanmar’s junta and Russia signed agreements related to the Dawei Special Economic Zone, covering port development, a coal-fired power plant, and an oil refinery. These agreements were signed by Russia’s Minister of Economic Development and Myanmar’s junta-appointed Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Minister, Dr. Kan Zaw.

While Russia publicly acknowledged these agreements, Myanmar’s junta has remained silent. Official reports from the military council confirmed that the two sides signed nine agreements covering infrastructure, banking, education, telecommunications, technology, and humanitarian aid. Geopolitical analysts believe these agreements will be further discussed during Min Aung Hlaing’s visit. Thein Tun Oo, executive director of the Thayninga Strategic Studies Institute, a think tank with ties to Myanmar’s military, confirmed this view. “Russia has a vested interest in the Dawei deep-sea port. Given that a government-to-government agreement is already in place, further negotiations are expected,” Thein Tun Oo said.

Myanmar’s previous civilian government had suspended an Italian-Thai joint venture on the Dawei project in 2020, citing inefficiencies. However, in October 2022, the junta resumed efforts to find new investors for the zone. Following Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Dawei in November 2022, the project received official backing. Two years later, in May 2024, the junta announced plans to sign a new agreement with an undisclosed investor. The military stated that negotiations were being conducted to ensure a “win-win situation” for both parties.

On February 23, 2025, Russia’s Minister of Economic Development, Maxim Reshetnikov, visited Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, where the agreement for Dawei was finalised. Early reports suggested that Russia was not the sole investor in the project, with India, China, and Japan also showing interest. Indian media sources had indicated that negotiations were ongoing. Analysts predict that Myanmar’s deepening economic ties with Russia, particularly in the Dawei project, will gain further momentum following Min Aung Hlaing’s visit. However, further details on defence cooperation and other aspects are expected to be disclosed after the trip.