Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson received criticism over his recent trip to Myanmar, seemingly legitimizing the country's junta leaders, The Hill reported.

The former diplomat said that his meeting with Myanmar’s Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing was to discuss humanitarian aid efforts including getting COVID-19 vaccines to Myanmar.

Meanwhile, activists criticized Richardson’s meeting claiming it validated Myanmar’s leaders that staged a coup against the country's elected government in February.