Myanmar is negotiating to buy seven million doses of Russia's Sputnik Covid-19 vaccine, the head of its junta said, as authorities in the Southeast Asian country try to tackle a new wave of coronavirus infections.

In an interview with Russia's RIA news agency, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said after initially planning to buy two million doses, Myanmar was now looking to buy seven million.

“We have made negotiations to buy more from Russia,” Min Aung Hlaing was quoted as saying. He did not say whether it would be the Sputnik V or single-shot Sputnik Light vaccine.

“China has also sent some vaccines and we have used those as well. We will also continue negotiations with China,” he said.