According to Russia’s energy ministry, Russia and Myanmar have discussed the participation of Russian companies in the construction of energy infrastructure projects in the Southeast Asian country.
The ministry stated that a first working group meeting on energy cooperation between the two countries had been held recently, though it did not provide further details.
Russia has become Myanmar’s closest ally since the military coup in February 2021 that overthrew the elected civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Last October, top energy officials from Russia and Myanmar held discussions in Moscow on Russia’s potential involvement in building a gas pipeline to the country’s main city of Yangon.
Russia has also had plans for a nuclear research reactor project in Myanmar. The increased energy cooperation between the two countries comes as Russia seeks to expand its influence in the region, particularly after the imposition of Western sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine.
The details of the specific energy infrastructure projects that Russian firms are eyeing in Myanmar remain unclear. However, the discussions indicate that Russia is looking to deepen its economic ties with the military-ruled country, which has faced international condemnation and sanctions over the 2021 coup and subsequent crackdown on dissent.