Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia is ready to cooperate with Myanmar in natural resource exploration and oil and gas extraction, including offshore projects, as Moscow seeks to deepen energy ties with the Southeast Asian country.

Putin made the remarks during a meeting with Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing and the media on August 18, highlighting the energy sector as a key area of growing bilateral cooperation.

“Russia is willing to cooperate in natural resource exploration and oil and gas extraction in Myanmar, including offshore areas,” Putin said, adding that there was also considerable potential for Russia to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Myanmar for domestic use and possible re-export.

According to Asia News Network, Putin said Russia-Myanmar relations were rooted in longstanding friendship and were based on fairness, mutual respect and mutual benefit. He recalled the Soviet Union’s assistance to Myanmar in the social, economic and defence sectors during the 1950s and 1960s.

Putin said several major projects established during the Soviet era, including hospitals and universities, continue to benefit the Myanmar people.

He said economic cooperation would remain a major focus of bilateral ties, noting that coal-fired power plant and oil refinery projects are already being implemented in Myanmar. Russia and Myanmar also signed an agreement last year to build a nuclear power plant, which Putin described as a key bilateral project.

The Russian leader said the two countries were also discussing cooperation in industrial and transport sectors, including steel and fertilizer plants and a deep-sea port project in southern Myanmar.

He added that Russian companies were proposing projects in Myanmar’s high-tech sectors, including digital technology and cybersecurity.

Putin also highlighted cooperation in space, education and human-resource development. He said Russia and Myanmar signed a space cooperation agreement in 2025 and were implementing joint projects under the agreement.

Around 400 Myanmar students are currently studying at Russian universities, while about 17,000 Myanmar students have graduated from Russian institutions, Putin said.

Military and defence cooperation also remains an important component of the relationship. Putin said Russia-Myanmar military-technical cooperation was developing well, with the two countries regularly conducting military exercises in Myanmar’s waters and Russian naval vessels making frequent visits to Myanmar.

The Russian president also welcomed growing people-to-people ties, saying scientists, young people, tourists and athletes were travelling between the two countries under a visa-free arrangement. He said a Myanmar consulate would soon open in Vladivostok.

Putin further noted the establishment of Myanmar cultural and religious centres in Russia and said approval had been granted for the construction of a Russian Orthodox Christian church in Yangon.

He said Moscow and Naypyidaw shared similar positions on international issues, particularly their opposition to interference in the internal affairs of states and international organisations.

A total of 12 memorandums of understanding were signed between Russia and Myanmar during Min Aung Hlaing’s visit, underscoring efforts by the two countries to expand cooperation across energy, infrastructure, technology, education and other sectors.

Putin expressed confidence that the agreements signed during the visit would provide further momentum to the Russia-Myanmar partnership.

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