Russia’s Lavrov to meet military leader on visit to Myanmar

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Myanmar, marking one of the most high-profile visits to the Southeast Asian country since the military seized power in a coup last year.
Citing a briefing by Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, TASS news agency said Lavrov is expected to hold talks with Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin and meet military chief Min Aung Hlaing in the capital Naypyitaw.
Zakharova said, the talks were expected to include discussions covering trade and economic cooperation, as well as defence, security, and humanitarian ties.
Myanmar’s junta has faced isolation and sanctions from many Western countries since ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and launching a bloody crack down on dissent.
But ties with Russia have remained friendly and earlier this month Russia’s defence ministry said the countries would deepen defence cooperation after junta chief Min Aung Hlaing travelled to Moscow.