Myanmar’s long-promised general elections will take place in December or January next year at the earliest, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said at a state-level meeting in Minsk, the latest effort by the military government to retain power and earn legitimacy.

Also this week, the regime chief strengthened ties with Russia and Belarus during a goodwill tour of his key allies.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin hailed expanding ties with ally Myanmar at talks with its military junta chief on Tuesday and thanked him for gifting Moscow six elephants.

At the same time, the airlines of the two countries have agreed to launch direct flights from Moscow as early as 2025, and permission to connect with the Russian capital has been received, the diplomat says. Since 2023, there has been a direct connection between Myanmar's second largest city, Mandalay, and Novosibirsk.

Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing seeks support from Belarus and Russia amid US sanctions, vows "free and fair" elections.