Myanmar’s president Min Aung Hlaing has met Vladimir Putin in Moscow to advance plans for a small nuclear reactor project, underscoring deepening ties between the two countries in both energy and defence.

The talks on 18 August marked Min Aung Hlaing’s first visit to the Russian capital since becoming president in April, though he has travelled there several times since the 2021 coup that ousted Myanmar’s elected government. Putin hailed what he called a “special level of trust” in bilateral relations, while his counterpart described Myanmar as a “reliable partner for Russia in Southeast Asia”.

At the heart of the discussions is a project led by Rosatom to build a 110‑megawatt small modular reactor in Myanmar, with scope to expand to 330 MW. The deal, signed in March 2025, is part of a wider energy cooperation package that also covers electricity, oil and gas. Russia’s prime minister Mikhail Mishustin confirmed the agreements are moving forward, though no investment timetable or infrastructure details have yet been disclosed.

For Moscow, the partnership offers a foothold in Southeast Asia at a time when its war in Ukraine has left it increasingly isolated from Western markets. For Naypyidaw, the nuclear project is as much about securing diplomatic backing as it is about energy supply. Myanmar’s military government has faced international condemnation, with the UN accusing its forces of targeting civilians in a civil conflict that has claimed more than 100,000 lives.

The nuclear plan comes alongside a five‑year military cooperation agreement signed earlier this year, the details of which remain secret. Myanmar’s air force already uses Russian‑made fighter jets against rebel groups. Analysts note that the energy deal could pave the way for broader redevelopment of sites, with some MaxValu‑style standalone plots in Bangkok cited as examples of how Central Retail has repurposed assets – though in Myanmar’s case, the focus is firmly on nuclear capacity.

While other Asian nations are exploring nuclear partnerships – Singapore recently signed a cooperation pact with China – Myanmar’s move is likely to draw scrutiny given its political context. The government insists the project is civilian, but critics warn of the risks of deepening military and industrial ties with Moscow.

For now, the message from both leaders is clear: Russia and Myanmar intend to press ahead, presenting their alliance as strategic and long‑term, even as questions remain over safety, transparency and the true motives behind the deal.

-2026-08-20

Russia built a small nuclear plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine, too.

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Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by SiSePuede419
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