The leader of a condemned military junta in Myanmar has put on a cringe display as he heaped praise on warmonger Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Myanmar dictator General Min Aung Hlaing said he was "proud of Putin", who currently has invading forces stationed in Ukraine responsible for raining down bombs on cities.
Investigators are also looking into war crimes in the country alleged to have been committed by Russian troops.
The general said: "I am so proud of you. When you started to rule the country, Russia, one might say, took first place in the world."
While Putin nodded in agreement, he continued: "And we would call you not the leader of Russia, but the leader of the world. Because you control and organise stability throughout the world."
The compliments came from the mouth of one maligned leader to another at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.
In response, Putin described Myanmar as a "long-standing, reliable partner in Southeast Asia".
Min Aung Hlaing continued: "Your country is also great and historical.
"Almost 30 years ago, you also had difficult times, but you have already come out of these times, and with your help, the country is already developing intensively, and we are observing the pace of development."
Since the 2021 military coup in the country, Myanmar's regime is responsible for the deaths of 2,267 people killed by the junta's security forces, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
A total of 15,416 have been arrested since the coup. More recently, the former UK ambassador Vicky Bowman and her artist and activist husband Htein Lin were sentenced to one year behind bars by authorities on trumped-up charges.
They are currently being held at the notorious Insein Prison, according to reports.
At the forum, Putin's officials looked tired and one appeared to nod off while claims say the president himself "complained to doctors about fatigue and shortness of breath".
Telegram channel General SVR has long claimed Putin is suffering serious health issues, which the Kremlin denies.
The channel even claim a doppelganger was ready to step in if necessary.
A post read: "Even before the flight to Kamchatka, President of Russia Vladimir Putin had worsening problems with his kidneys, swelling of his face appeared, [and] ’bags’ under his eyes clearly appeared.
"Despite the use of drugs, there was no clear improvement.
"Upon arrival in Kamchatka, Putin complained to doctors about fatigue and shortness of breath, but the president nevertheless decided to participate in pre-planned activities."
