Moscow assures Dhaka of talking to Myanmar

Russia has assured Bangladesh of talking to Myanmar on the issue of Rohingya repatriation which has yet to start despite repeated efforts in the last five years.

The assurance came when Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov talked to Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen over the phone today and sought Russia's cooperation for the repatriation of Rohingyas who fled brutal military crackdowns in Myanmar and took shelter in Bangladesh.

The telephonic conversation took place after Lavrov cancelled his scheduled visit to Bangladesh on November 23 and 24 to attend a minister-level meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) because of other schedules.

He was also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

During the conversation, the two ministers spoke about cooperation with the UN and other international organisations, according to a foreign ministry statement.

Lavrov expressed regret for not being able to visit Bangladesh and conveyed Russian President Vladimir Putin's greetings to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He expressed interest to visit Bangladesh soon and take the bilateral relations between the two countries to a new height.

Momen recalled the strong role of Russia during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 and said Bangladesh will always remember it with gratitude.

He thanked Russia for its support in setting up the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and invited Russian President Putin, on behalf of Prime Minister Hasina, to visit Bangladesh.

The news of Lavrov's visit grew increased attention because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine that, combined with western sanctions, has caused global economic strain, with the countries witnessing social, economic and even political tension.

Foreign relation analysts said Russia is a trusted friend of Bangladesh, but Russia's not intervening in addressing the Rohingya crisis but selling arms to the Myanmar junta that is accused of genocide has been disappointing.

Having isolated itself in the global arena, Russia is looking for new friends, and therefore, Lavrov's visit could have been part of the effort, they said.