Russian President Vladimir Putin is holding talks with the head of Myanmar’s military government, who is seeking to cement ties with Moscow as he faces isolation from the West.

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.

Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing is in Russia, where he's expected to meet President Vladimir Putin and sign several agreements. The Myanmar army is struggling to quell violent opposition to military rule.