Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday praised Russia’s improving ties with Myanmar in a meeting with its army junta ruler, Min Aung Hlaing. He also thanked Myanmar for its special present of six elephants to Moscow.

Experts have referred to this exchange as part of “elephant diplomacy,” citing that it coincides with Moscow’s recent handover of six fighter jets to Myanmar. Both countries, which Western powers frequently criticize, have been strengthening relations in trade and military cooperation.

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This year is the 25th anniversary of the friendship declaration between our nations,” Putin said to Hlaing at their Kremlin meeting, adding that two-way trade had jumped 40% in the last year. The two also inked an agreement on the building of a small-scale nuclear power plant in Myanmar, with Russia’s Rosatom announcing plans for a 100-megawatt plant, with possible future expansion.

Putin also declared that the Myanmar military will take part in Moscow’s May 9th Victory Day Parade, marking 80 years since the victory in World War II over Nazi Germany. Hlaing, who rarely leaves the country, admired Russian military technology and endorsed Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Myanmar has been embroiled in instability since the 2021 coup that deposed Aung San Suu Kyi, erupting into civil war. The junta currently faces severe economic woes and widespread humanitarian crises, as a third of Myanmar’s population is in need, says the UN.

In spite of foreign sanctions, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin indicated continued trade and investment prospects, especially in agriculture, nuclear power, transport, and infrastructure. Russian companies are also interested in investments at Myanmar’s Dawei Special Economic Zone, a much-delayed industrial and transport center.

Myanmar’s ruling military junta will supposedly hold elections this year, but critics view the move as a ploy to maintain control through manipulated political moves.