YANGON, 06 September 2022, (TON): Myanmar’s junta chief arrived in Vladivostok to attend the Eastern Economic Forum, his second trip to Russia in less than two months, in what former officials said is part of the ruling military’s attempt to establish special relations with Moscow.

The southeast Asian country has maintained friendly ties with Russia since the junta seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.

The coup saw Myanmar slapped with sanctions from Western countries and faced with a downgrade in relations, with Moscow under the same scrutiny over its invasion of Ukraine, which it calls a special military operation.

In July, Myanmar and Russia agreed to deepen their defense cooperation when Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing visited the latter on what was reported as a private visit.