Myanmar has begun buying petroleum products from Moscow and is expecting the diesel fuel delivery in the coming days, the Southeast Asian country’s military leader said on Wednesday.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing shared the following news during his second visit to Russia in less than two months as both in less than two months as both isolated nations are looking to broaden ties in the face of international sanctions.
Min Aung Hlaing, while addressing the media, said that, “Deliveries of petroleum products from Russia to Myanmar are already underway successfully.”
While noting that Myanmar is ready to pay for supplies in Russian rubles, he said that, “We will receive the first shipment of diesel fuel from Russia in a few days.”
Min Aung Hlaing said that, “Whatever currency the Russian side accepts, that’s what we will pay. This makes it much easy for us because there are a lot of restrictions on receiving and transferring in other currencies.”
Min Aung Hlaing reportedly agreed to import petrol from Russia during his last trip to Russia in July.
Myanmar has resorted to fuel oil imports after petrol prices surged and the nation was hit by shortages.
Russia is meanwhile seeking new export destinations for its energy exports amid Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.
Russia is a major ally & arms supplier of the Myanmar military.
The Kremlin said Wednesday that Min Aung Hlaing met President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of Russia’s Eastern Economic Forum in the port city of Vladivostok.