epa11940214 Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Myanmar's military leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing (L) shake hands after a signing ceremony following their meeting at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, 04 March 2025. Min Aung Hlaing is on an official visit to Russia. EPA-EFE/PAVEL BEDNYAKOV /AP POOL / POOL POOL PHOTO

Russia and Myanmar signed an agreement on Tuesday on construction of a small-scale nuclear plant in Myanmar after talks in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.

Russia told Myanmar's leader and military junta chief Min Aung Hlaing on Tuesday that Moscow saw good prospects for expanding cooperation in a range of areas including agriculture and nuclear energy.

Myanmar, aiming to reduce its reliance on China, has formed a comprehensive economic agreement with Russia, including the construction of a small nuclear power plant. The collaboration was announced during junta chief Min Aung Hlaings visit to Moscow,

An intergovernmental agreement signed during a state visit to Russia covers cooperation on the construction of a 110 MW small modular reactor in Myanmar. ;

Min Aung Hlaing's military uses weapons from Russia in the ongoing civil war against opposition groups across Myanmar.

With unemployment at a record low 2.3%, President Vladimir Putin has flagged labour shortages as a problem and on Friday steelmaker Severstal criticised a regional move to ban migrant workers in construction.