Russian President Vladimir Putin held discussions on Tuesday with the leader of Myanmar's military government, who is seeking to strengthen cooperation with Moscow amid Western isolation and sanctions.
General Min Aung Hlaing is in Russia for the fourth time since his army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.
Western countries have isolated Myanmar's ruling army and imposed economic and political sanctions in response to the coup and brutal crackdown on the opposition, which has left thousands of civilians dead and sparked an armed conflict widely seen as a civil war.
Russia, along with China, is Myanmar's main backer and arms supplier. Russian fighter jets have been used in attacks on areas controlled by ethnic minorities, many of whom are allied with pro-democracy resistance forces.
“Russia is a major sponsor of the Myanmar military,” said Morgan Michaels, an analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore.
“In addition to diplomatic and symbolic support, it plays a key role in strengthening and maintaining the regime's fighting capacity.”
Russia has defended Myanmar's military government on international platforms, and the country's ruling generals have generally supported Moscow's foreign policy strategy. The two countries have also held joint military exercises and signed a deal to develop nuclear energy.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who held separate talks with Min Aung Hlaing to discuss strengthening economic ties, condemned Western sanctions against Myanmar as “illegal”.
A spokesman for Myanmar's main opposition Government of National Unity, Nay Phon Latt, said the military leader was in dire need of international recognition and was willing to trade the country's resources for that recognition.
“So in order to maintain power, he will go to countries that recognize him and provide some kind of aid and trade what he wants with that country,” Nay Von Latt said in a text message to the AP on Monday.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
